Drop-Down Lists#
Drop-down lists are used to select an item from a mutually exclusive set of options.
A drop-down list example can be found in the Lists → Selections demo in the GTK 4 demo app.
When to Use#
Drop-down lists are typically appropriate when:
the list of options is long
the contents of the hidden part of the menu are obvious from its label and the one selected item (for example, a “Month” drop-down with the item “January” selected suggests what the other options will be)
there is little available space, such as in header bars
If these factors don’t apply, a radio button might be a better choice, since radio buttons present all the available options without the need to explicitly expose them.
Guidelines#
Do not use drop-down lists with fewer than three items. To offer a choice of two options, use radio or toggle buttons.
Label drop-down lists using sentence capitalization. Provide an access key in the label that allows the user to focus the drop-down list.
Use sentence capitalization for drop-down list items.
Assign an access key to every drop-down list item. Ensure each access key is unique within the enclosing window or dialog, not just within the menu.