The Microsoft Manual of Style: Your Everyday Guide to Usage, Terminology, and Style for Professional Technical Communications (MSTP), in former editions the Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications, was a style guide published by Microsoft. The fourth edition, ISBN 0-7356-4871-9, was published in 2012. Microsoft employees and partners also had access to a Microsoft Compressed HTML Help (CHM) version. In 2018, the book was replaced by a website, the Microsoft Writing Style Guide, joining other online guides like the Apple Style Guide and Google Developer Documentation Style Guide.

History

Purpose

Like any style guide, the MSTP establishes standards and serves as a reference for writers. The MSTP has the specific purpose of guiding technical writers, editors, and content managers working with Microsoft products. While the manual in some parts focuses on usage particular to these products, the guide also serves as a general tool for technical writers. Content ranges from specific instructions for naming particular elements of specific programs to general rules of grammar.

Contents

The MSTP is divided into two parts, preceded by a foreword and introduction. Part 1 is titled "General Topics" and is sub-divided into the following 11 chapters: Part 2 is an alphabetically arranged "Usage Dictionary" of terms commonly used in technical writing.