Select (Dropdown)

1. What does the component do?

It is used for the selection of one or more options from a pre-defined list.

When selecting from several options (single or multiple choice) in a list.
If a selection must be made where the entries mutually exclude one another and no default value is to be set (in contrast to the radio button element).
When selection options are to be grouped.

There must be at least two options available.
The element always has a label.
Optional selections include the text ‘(optional)’ behind the label. The text ‘(optional)’ can be abbreviated to ‘(opt.)’ in short fields.
A question mark in the circle – in addition to the label – can be used for detailed explanations. A tooltip opens when this question mark is clicked on.
The text in the select element is always single-line.
If an entry is longer than the available width of the element, the entry’s text is abbreviated with ‘…’.
A pre-selection is not permitted with a mandatory field.
If no selection has been made yet, the element text says “please select …”.