Colon

Proper colon usage for lists, titles, and separating ideas in writing.

The following table shows ways to use a colon properly in your writing:

Scenario Example
To introduce unordered lists, tables, or images. Always precede these elements with a full sentence. Use a full sentence and a colon to introduce the following items:
  • Unordered lists
  • Tables
  • Images
To introduce a list within a sentence. Always precede the inline list with a full sentence. Capitalize the first word that follows the colon only when it's a complete sentence. The application can access the following items: the file system, the command line, and other applications.
To separate parts in a title or heading. Capitalize the first word that follows the colon.
  • Part 2: Edit the Collector configuration to add new components
  • Scenario: Kai monitors apps in a cloud environment
To separate a main idea from a secondary idea in a doc subheading or UI dashboard label. Capitalize the first word that follows the colon.
  • Control your data volume: Aggregate your metrics

  • Sources contributing to false positive: Incorrect analytic logic