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Use Frames When Functions Must Remain Accessible
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Guideline: Use frames when certain functions must remain visible on the screen as the user accesses other information on the site.
Comment: It works well to have the functional items in one frame and the items that are being acted upon in another frame. This is
sometimes referred to as a 'simultaneous menu' because making changes in one frame causes the information to change in another
frame. Side-by-side frames seem to work best, with the functions on the left and the information viewing area on the right.
Keep in mind that frames can be confusing to some users. More than three frames on a page can be especially confusing to infrequent
and occasional users. Frames also pose problems when users attempt to print, and when searching pages.
Example:
 Multi-variable charting applications are one example of an acceptable use of frames. The map of the United States in the right frame is controlled by the menu selections in the left frame. As such, the left frame remains fixed while the right frame regenerates based upon the user-defined selections in the left frame. Such use of frames allows users to continually view the menu selections, avoiding use of the Back button when changing selections and eliminating the need for users to maintain this information in their working memory.
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Relative Importance:  Strength of Evidence:  Sources:
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