How would I instruct a reader to push a button with an ellipsis at the end?

Question

I am writing some documentation and want to instruct a user through a process. During the process the user should click a button to open another screen. I am unsure how to document this as the button text ends with an ellipsis:

How would I accomplish this if the text is at the end of the sentence? Using this example: Click the button with the label of Action...

I am not using a quote and this is not an example of missing text as the full label of this button includes ellipsis since I do not know what the full text is.

Answer 1

In my documentation, I always reference the button exactly as it is labeled. My test users stated they scan the documentation looking for words that match the button (and vice versa) and so now that's what I do. When the sentence ends with a button name that has an ellipse, I add in the fourth dot as if it were the end of a regular sentence.

To choose what happens next, click Action....

The use of bold follows the MS Manual of Style, along with what my users requested.

Answer 2

I would recommend putting the label of the button in square brackets or some other distinct font to make it obvious that the ellipsis is part of the label

To choose what happens next, click [Action...].

Answer 3

Simply: "Click the button:" or "Click next button"

Answer 4

I personally hate the obviously explicit "click the button". Buttons are meant to be clicked. Tell me why I should click it.

For my web content, I use the construct ...more to indicate that ... well, that there's more.