Adobe Spectrum Menu
Documents menu anatomy, trigger relationship, menu item labels, descriptions, values, unavailable and disabled states, sections, dividers, submenus, keyboard focus, text wrapping, action versus selection variants, and keyboard interactions.
What this source can teach
Use this source to compare a documented solution with the task and states in your own product.
- Start with the original. Open the source and find the guidance or example relevant to your task.
- Trace the connection. Use the claim notes below to see how this site applies the source to specific patterns.
- Check the setting. Compare the source's platform, people, and constraints with your own decision.
Pattern Decisions This Source Supports
| Pattern | Supported decision | Required contract | Claim note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action menu | Choose an action menu when commands are contextual to one object, selected set, resource, row, card, or local page surface. | Every item has a clear verb, object, and outcome category: command, navigation link, checkable command, disabled command, or destructive command. | Spectrum documents menu anatomy, item labels, descriptions, values, unavailable and disabled states, sections, dividers, checkable selection states, keyboard focus, text wrapping, and keyboard interactions. |
| Menu / menubar | Choose a menu or menubar when the interface has a stable, application-like command hierarchy that users revisit frequently. | The persistent bar has role menubar and a visible label or accessible name. | Spectrum documents menu item labels, descriptions, values, unavailable and disabled states, sections, dividers, checkable selection states, keyboard focus, text wrapping, and keyboard interactions. |
| Menu button | Choose a menu button when one trigger reveals a short local set of actions or command-like links. | The trigger is a button or equivalent control with a clear name, aria-haspopup set to menu or true, and aria-expanded synchronized with visibility. | Spectrum documents menu anatomy, trigger relationship, item labels, descriptions, disabled and unavailable states, sections, keyboard focus, text wrapping, and keyboard interactions. |
Comparisons supported by this source
- Action menu vs menu button vs button group vs command palette
Spectrum documents menu item labels, descriptions, values, disabled and unavailable states, sections, dividers, action and selection variants, text wrapping, and keyboard focus.
- Menu / menubar vs menu button vs mega menu vs global navigation
Spectrum documents menu item labels, descriptions, disabled and unavailable states, sections, dividers, checkable selection states, keyboard focus, and text wrapping.
- Menu button vs command palette vs select vs confirmation dialog
Spectrum documents menu anatomy, item labeling, descriptions, disabled and unavailable states, sections, keyboard focus, text wrapping, and keyboard interactions.
Evidence Role
This source is treated as pattern-library evidence. Its value comes from the specific claims and setting described above.
Publisher: Adobe Spectrum. Last checked: .