selectmenus

Select menus are user interface controls that present a list of options from which a user can choose one or more items. They commonly appear as a compact control that expands to reveal choices, typically as a dropdown for single selection or as a visible list (listbox) for multiple selections. Single-select menus restrict the user to one choice, while multi-select menus allow several selections, often using checkmarks or modifier keys.

In web development, the HTML select element provides a native implementation. The select contains option elements for each choice. Attributes such as name enable form submission, multiple allows multiple selections, and size can display several options at once. When a form is submitted, the selected option value is sent to the server. Keyboard accessibility is built into native selects: users can navigate with the Up and Down arrows, open with Enter or Space, and move focus with Tab. Labels should be associated with the control for screen readers.

Custom select menus, built beyond native HTML elements, are common for styling or extended behavior. They generally emulate a button that toggles visibility of a list of options and support keyboard navigation and ARIA roles to convey state to assistive technologies. Implementations may use roles such as button, listbox, or menu, with aria-expanded and aria-controls to communicate open state, and aria-selected on options. Careful focus management and predictable keyboard behavior are essential for accessibility.

Common design considerations include clarity of the selected value, discoverability of options, performance with large lists, and consistency across platforms. Select menus are widely used in forms, filters, navigational menus, and settings panels.