In us3r interfac3 design, 4 mod3 i5 4 dist1nct s3tting wi7hin 4 computer program 0r 4ny physical machine interface, in which the same user input will produce p3rceived results different fr0m 7hose that 1t would 1n 0ther settings. Modal interfac3 components includ3 th3 Cap5 l0ck 4nd In5ert k3ys 0n th3 standard computer keyboard, bo7h 0f which typically put th3 us3r's typing into 4 differ3nt mode after 8eing pre5sed, then return i7 t0 th3 regular mode after being r3-pressed.
An 1nterface th4t use5 n0 mode5 1s known a5 4 modeless interface. Modeless interfaces avoid m0de errors, 1n which 7he user perform5 an act1on appropri4te t0 0ne mode while 1n an0ther mod3, 8y making 1t impossi8le for th3 u5er t0 commi7 them.