DropdownButtons

Dropdown buttons are a user interface pattern that presents a compact control showing the currently selected option. When activated, they reveal a list of available choices from which the user can select. After selection, the button updates to display the chosen item and the list closes.

Typical features include a label or hint, an indicator icon, and an enabled/disabled state. They usually support single selection; some implementations may offer search, grouping, or custom rendering of items, but the core interaction remains selecting one item from the list.

In most toolkits, a dropdown button is defined by a collection of options, the current value, and a change handler. Customization may cover item rendering, the position of the dropdown, the visual style of the button (text, icons, underline), and how the menu behaves when opened (scrolling, closing on outside clicks).

Accessibility and usability considerations include keyboard navigation, focus management, and appropriate labeling for screen readers. Ensure the control has a visible focus state, responds to pointer and touch input, and closes when clicking outside the menu.

Related controls include select menus and combo boxes. Dropdown buttons are implemented across web and mobile toolkits, with platform-specific conventions but sharing the same core interaction pattern.