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Title bar

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In computing, the title bar (or titlebar) consists of that part of a window where the title of the window appears. Most graphical operating systems and window managers position the title bar at the top of the application window as a horizontal bar.

Default title-bar text often incorporates the name of the application and/or of its manufacturer. The name of the host running the application also appears frequently. Various methods (menu-selections, escape sequences, setup parameters, command-line options — depending on the computing environment) may exist to give the end-user some control of title-bar text. Most web browsers will render the contents of the title HTML element in their title bar, often pre- or postfixed by the application name. Google Chrome places its tabs in the title bar, so it is not necessary to use the main window for the tabs.

The title bar often contains icons for system commands relating to the window, such as a maximize, minimize, rollup and close buttons; and may include other content such as an application icon, a clock, etc.

In many graphical user interfaces, including the Mac OS and Microsoft Windows interfaces, the user may move a window by grabbing the title bar and dragging.

Title bar from Calculator in GNOME on Ubuntu.

Types of Titlebar

Typically titlebars can be used to provide window motion enabling the window to be moved around the screen by using a drag action.

Useless Titlebars

Some window managers provide useless titlebars which are purely for decorative purposes and offer no window motion facility. These window managers do not allow windows to be moved around the screen by using a drag action on the titlebar.

Titlebar buttons

Some window managers provide titlebar buttons which provide the facility to minimize, maximize, rollup or close application windows. Some window managers may display the titlebar buttons in the taskbar or taskpanel, rather than in the titlebars.

The following buttons may appear in the titlebar:

  • menu
  • minimize
  • maximize
  • rollup
  • close

Note that a context menu may be available from some titlebar buttons

Titlebar icon

Some window managers display a small icon in the titlebar that may vary according to the application on which it appears. The titlebar icon may behave like a menu button, or may provide a context menu facility.

List of X window managers and the types of titlebar that they use

See also

Template:Window managers