Selectable

Selectable is an adjective meaning capable of being chosen or highlighted. In everyday language it can refer to any item that a person or system can select, such as a menu option, a database record, or a piece of text. In computing and digital media it is often used to describe elements that a user can actively choose or mark, as opposed to passive content.

In user interfaces, selectable items can be navigated, highlighted, and acted upon. Text on a page is commonly described as selectable when the user can place a cursor, copy, or search it. Many applications offer non-selectable content—images or controls may be designed to prevent selection to reduce accidental copying or focus the user on interaction. Web technologies provide explicit control over selectability; for example, the CSS property that governs whether text can be selected, as well as accessibility attributes that indicate which controls are selectable or actionable. In data presentation, lists, menus, and form controls implement selectable options; single-select and multi-select patterns determine whether only one option or several can be chosen.

In printing, publishing, and OCR workflows, a distinction is drawn between selectable text and non-text elements such as raster images. The term derives from the verb select and the suffix -able, indicating capability or suitability. Related terms include selection, select, and selectable text.