Dimmed

(disabled) controls
Buttons aren’t the only controls that might be dimmed and disabled. At any given time, any control in a
dialog box, as well as any option on a menu, might be dimmed. This doesn’t mean something is broken.
It means that the control is not relevant or meaningful at the moment. Therefore, there’s no point in
selecting it. When you first open a dialog box, for example, the Apply button will be disabled, because
you haven’t yet made any selections to apply. As soon as the situation changes (for instance, you make
a selection that can be applied) and the control becomes meaningful, it will automatically be enabled
(undimmed).
Tip I’ve actually seen people click away repeatedly at a disabled control, as though
doing so will some how “wake up” that control. Trust me on this. It won’t.