What Is A Menu-Based Interface?

Date First Published: 27th June 2023

Topic: Computer Systems

Subtopic: Computer Software

Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty: Medium

Difficulty Level: 5/10

CONTENTS

Advantages and Disadvantages Of A Menu-Based Interface

Learn about what a menu-based interface is in this article.

A menu-based interface, also known as a menu-driven interface, is a type of user interface based on menus that present users with a list of options. This allows users to interact with the system by navigating through different submenus to perform the action they want. One menu leads to a further menu and so on.

Some menus may take up the whole screen, whilst others may be in the form of a dropdown menu, which offers a list of options that remains hidden until the user hovers over or clicks on the button or text. Self-service tills at supermarkets and ATMs at the bank are examples of systems that use a full-screen menu-based interface. Word processors, like Microsoft Word, and the Settings app on iOS devices are examples of applications that use a dropdown menu-based interface. All users have to do is select options from different submenus until they find the relevant one they are looking for.

The advantages of a menu-based interface are:

It is a very intuitive user interface. The clear options and limited possible actions make it very user-friendly and easy for users to guess their way around options without having to know different commands. When using a menu-based interface, users often require little training.
The interface can easily be adapted to different users. It is easy for the options to be translated in different languages. The options can also be spoken rather than visually displayed, improving accessibility.
It is usually simple for developers and designers to implement in different systems. All they need to do is create a hierarchy for user pathways with the appropriate options.
Most menu-based interfaces use little processing power and memory, so they can run on most devices without problems.

The disadvantages of a menu-based interface:

If there are too many levels of submenus to navigate through, it can irritate users and require them to navigate through lots of different submenus just to complete a simple task, making it slower for experienced users. This is unlike a command-line interface where users can instantly complete their tasks just by entering a command without requiring any unnecessary actions.
It often lacks flexibility. Options can be limited and if the required option is not present, users won't be able to complete their task. The users can only perform actions that can be found in the submenus.
Poorly worded options can lead to users performing the wrong actions and struggling to find their way around the interface.