How to

Purpose

The purpose of a how to is to explain how to complete a task within the product.

Note

If you are unsure about when to categorize something as a how-to or tutorial, remember:

Tutorials are typically longer form and contain multiple steps, usually involving multiple products, and help users connect products to real-world scenarios.

A how-to helps a user complete a singular task within a single product.

Tone

instructional, straightforward

content_type

how-to

Structure

Required components

Title: Short verb phrase in second-person imperative. Do not use gerund phrases.

Steps: Numbered steps that complete a task.

Next steps: What users should see as the end result of the steps and/or actionable next steps.

Optional components

Context: An introductory paragraph on the following steps and what they will accomplish.

Provide context to the reader that is not in the section heading.

End with a colon or a period. Use a colon if it immediately precedes the steps. Use a period if there is more material (such as a note) between the context and the procedure.

Do not provide context for steps with a partial sentence that is completed by the numbered steps.

Prerequisites: Tasks or conditions that must be completed before a user can complete a series of steps.

Notes/warnings

Examples

Screenshots

Related links: Bulleted list of links to associated resources.

Template

Single procedure how-to

---
weight: xx
pcx_content_type: how-to
---

# Second-person imperative verb phrase

Context for procedure (optional)

1. Step one
1. Step two
1. Step three
1. ...

Next steps sentence - what users should see as the end result and/or actionable next steps.

How-to with multiple procedures

---
weight: xx
pcx_content_type: how-to
---

# Second-person imperative verb phrase

Context for procedures on page (optional)

## Second-person imperative verb phrase

1. Step one
1. Step two
1. Step three
1. ...

Next steps sentence - what users should see as the end result and/or actionable next steps.

## Second-person imperative verb phrase

1. Step one
1. Step two
1. Step three
1. ...

Next steps sentence - what users should see as the end result and/or actionable next steps.

How-to with multiple procedures that must be completed in order

---
weight: xx
pcx_content_type: how-to
---

# Second-person imperative verb phrase

Context for procedures on page (optional)

## 1. Second-person imperative verb phrase

1. Step one
1. Step two
1. Step three
1. ...

Next steps sentence - what users should see as the end result and/or actionable next steps.

## 2. Second-person imperative verb phrase

1. Step one
1. Step two
1. Step three
1. ...

Next steps sentence - what users should see as the end result and/or actionable next steps.

## 3. Second-person imperative verb phrase

1. Step one
1. Step two
1. Step three
1. ...

Next steps sentence - what users should see as the end result and/or actionable next steps.