spec checked
WAI-ARIA APG Listbox Pattern
Defines listbox as a visible list of selectable options, with single-select and multi-select variants, option naming constraints, grouped options, focus versus selection, selection-follows-focus tradeoffs, typeahead, Home and End, aria-activedescendant, aria-multiselectable, aria-selected or aria-checked, and cautions against interactive elements inside options.
Pattern Decisions This Source Supports
| Pattern | Supported decision | Required contract | Claim note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inaccessible custom select | Flag this anti-pattern when a custom dropdown cannot be opened, navigated, selected, dismissed, and reviewed by keyboard. | The trigger exposes an accessible name, current value, role, and expanded or collapsed state. | APG listbox guidance documents keyboard interaction, labeling, active option, and selected state for custom listbox-style alternatives. |
| Listbox | Choose a listbox when options should remain visible and users select one or more values from the list itself. | The listbox has a visible label or accessible name and contains or owns every option. | APG defines listbox as a visible selectable option list, with single and multi-select behavior, focus versus selection, typeahead, Home and End, grouped options, selection state, and nested-interactive-content limits. |
| Multi-select | Choose multi-select for long, searchable, or compact multi-choice sets where a visible checkbox group would be too large. | Users can search, add, and remove values without losing their current selection. | APG listbox guidance documents multiple selection states, keyboard navigation, labels, and aria-multiselectable behavior for custom implementations. |
| Select | Choose select sparingly for a single choice from a moderate known list when space or task priority justifies collapsing options. | The selected value remains visible after the menu closes. | APG listbox guidance documents keyboard, labeling, and selected-state requirements for custom listbox-style select alternatives. |
| Transfer list | Choose transfer list when the interface has a source collection and a destination collection, and moving items between them is the core task. | Each pane has a visible label and accessible name that describes whether it contains available or selected items. | APG listbox guidance covers option roles, selected state, multiple selection, aria-multiselectable, keyboard movement, typeahead, and accessible option naming. |
Evidence Role
This source is treated as spec evidence. Use it to validate the decision rules above, not as a visual style reference.
Publisher: W3C Web Accessibility Initiative. Last checked: .