Dropdown

Labels are required for all form fields. Labels succinctly describe the field’s purpose and expected input value.

Input dropdowns have multiple layout options.

• Stacked: The field’s label is outside and above the field.
• Floating: The label is inside the text box and animates upward on focus to make room for the input value.

Use an asterisk to indicate a field is required. Display the word “optional” in parentheses next to the field label if the field isn’t required.

If most fields are required, only indicate the optional fields. If most fields are optional, only indicate the required fields.

Placeholder text, or “ghost text”, is visible until a character is entered or a value is selected.

Because the placeholder text disappears, putting instructions or requirements as placeholder text is not accessible. Helper text is the preferred method to convey this information.

Helper text is placed below the field and informs the user of any requirements or disclaimers. Helper text can be shown persistently or on focus.

When a field fails validation, the helper text produces an error message to help the user successfully fulfill the input requirements. Error messages are concise and direct, and replace any previously visible helper text. An error icon is prepended to the helper text to enhance discoverability.

There are two sizes available: 40px and 48px. These match our button sizes to account for situations where they are inline together. Avoid mixing different sizes in a single form.

Users cannot focus on or change read-only fields. Their input is derived from other parts of the UI and is intended to be viewable for reference. The input is submitted with the form.

Users cannot focus on or change disabled fields. Their availability depends on certain requirements. No value will be submitted from disabled fields.

Content that extends beyond the width of the field is truncated before the icon.

Bordered dropdowns have a minimum width of 2x their height. Borderless dropdowns do not have a minimum width since they hug their contents.

Dropdown buttons and menus have a max width of 280px.