---
title: Introduction to Buttons
framework: cocoa
role: article
path: apple-archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/Button
---

# Introduction to Buttons

Explains how to use Cocoa buttons.

## Organization of This Document

This document describes how to use a button. These articles give you basic information on the different types of button, and how you can customize buttons:

- [How Buttons Work](Concepts/HowButtonsWork.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000084-BBCBBJJH) describes how buttons work. - [Types of Button](Tasks/SettingButtonType.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000085-CBIEAGIB) describes the types of button, how they act, how it highlights when pressed and whether it shows its state. - [Using Push Buttons](Concepts/PushButtons.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000090-BCIBFHAA) explains how to use push buttons. - [Using Checkboxes](Concepts/CheckBoxes.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000251-BCIBFHAA) explains how to use checkboxes in matrix objects. - [Using Radio Buttons](Concepts/RadioButtons.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000252-BCIBFHAA) explains how to use radio buttons in matrix objects. - [Querying Button Matrices](Articles/QueryMatrixButtons.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40007964-SW1) shows how to handle selections in radio buttons and checkboxes. - [Setting the Appearance of a Button’s Border](Tasks/SettingButtonBorder.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000086-BAJBEGBC) describes how to change the border’s shape and grading. - [Setting a Button’s Title](Tasks/SettingButtonTitle.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000087-BBCCGBIB) describes how to change the content and appearance of the button’s title. - [Setting a Button’s Image](Tasks/SettingButtonImage.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000088-BAJBCGCG) describes how to change the content and appearance of the button’s image. - [Hiding a Button](Tasks/HidingButtons.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000089-BCIBFHAA) describes how to make a button invisible or have it show its border only when the mouse is over it. - [Setting a Button’s Key Equivalent](Tasks/SettingButtonKeyEquiv.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000091-CJBCDJAD) describes how to attach a key equivalent to a button. - [Subclassing NSButton](Tasks/SubclassingNSButton.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000729-BCIBFHAA) describes how to subclass `NSButton`.

The following articles in other documents also contain relevant information:

- [Using a Continuous Control](../ControlCell/Tasks/UsingContControl.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000250) describes how to set up a button so it sends its action message repeatedly while being pressed. - [Cell States](../ControlCell/Concepts/CellStates.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000069) describes the three states a button can have: on, off, or mixed.

[Next](Concepts/HowButtonsWork.html)

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