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The "File" menu isn't about files

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Why This Matters

This article highlights the disconnect between the traditional 'File' menu label and its actual functionality across various apps, emphasizing the need for more intuitive and contextually appropriate menu names. Updating these labels can improve user experience by making menus more relevant and easier to understand, especially as app functionalities diversify beyond file management. For developers, this underscores the importance of thoughtful UI design that aligns menu labels with their true purpose.

Key Takeaways

What is up with calling the first app menu item "File" even though the items do nothing related to actual files?

πŸ’‘ tl;dr – Please consider opting for something better than calling your first menu item "File".

Let's dive into a couple of apps on my MacBook and have a look at the actual things you can do in those "File" menus, and probably settle on a better alternative name for it.

Sit back, as I have a total of 35 apps to go through.

At the very end, there are some honorable mentions which either use "File" correctly or break this pattern and name the first menu what the items actually imply.

1Password

"File" – You could argue that Items are files, but are they? You import and export files, ok, but what am I actually importing and exporting? Right, passwords!

Suggestion – "Password"

Automator

"File" – You are creating and opening files, so I guess this passes, but anyway, I think we can improve this.

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