n the Entrez databases, such as PubMed, the Action Bar is used when working with search results to change the display format, change the number of records to show per page, sort the results, and indicate where you want to send citations (Clipboard, E-mail, etc.). We will soon change how this bar works.

[Editor's note: This feature was implemented in PubMed and other Entrez databases on March 28, 2005.]

In the past, after making selections from the pull-down menus, it was necessary to then click on the Display or Send to buttons. Many users were confused by that step, so the Action bar will change to pull-down menus that do not require buttons (see Figure 1). As soon as you select an option from a menu you will notice an immediate change as PubMed follows that instruction. You may find some selections take a moment to complete, e.g., sorting a large set.

 

PubMed's paging feature that allows you to enter the number of the page you want to display will continue to use a button.

By Annette Nahin
MEDLARS Management Section

Nahin A. PubMed®/Entrez Action Bar Redesign. NLM Tech Bull. 2005 Mar-Apr;(343):e5.