How to Use Drop-down Boxes

Drop-down menus are common features of websites with forms, such as E-commerce sites.

Drop-down boxes are menus on the Web that pull down to reveal a list of options. This type of menu is especially useful for a long list of choices, such as a list of the states that appears when you are filling out your address on a website.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

1. Open the website that contains the form.

2. Place your mouse so that the pointer is on the small box with an arrow. This box appears on the right side of the field on the drop-down menu.

3. Click the arrow. A list of menu items should appear.

4. Run your pointer down the list of menu items until the item you need is highlighted. Click on this option. The menu should now close and your selected item should appear in the drop-down menu field.

Tips & Warnings

• An alternate way to find your option quickly in an extensive list is to type the first letter of the option that you need. For example, if you are filling out your mailing address and using a drop-down menu of states, and you live in Tennessee, type the letter T, and the part of the menu containing the options beginning with a T should appear.

• If the menu does not close up after you select your option, press the "Enter" key and it should close, leaving your selected item in the field.

References

• EchoEcho: HTML Forms: Drop Down Menus

Resources

• MSDN Library: Drop-Down Lists and Combo Boxes