spec checked
WAI-ARIA APG Menu and Menubar Pattern
Defines menu behavior, menuitem roles, Arrow key navigation, activation, Escape dismissal, submenus, and context-specific menu invocation such as Shift+F10.
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. | APG defines menu roles, menuitem roles, composite focus, keyboard movement, disabled items, separators, activation, dismissal, and focus return for action-oriented menus. |
| Context menu | Choose context menu when commands are specific to the object, selection, or location where the user invoked the menu. | The menu opens only for the object, selection, or location that invoked it. | Supports menu semantics, keyboard movement, Escape behavior, and Shift+F10 invocation. |
| 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. | APG defines menu and menubar as application command widgets with composite focus, top-level and submenu keyboard behavior, item roles, disabled state, checked state, groups, separators, labeling, and orientation. |
| 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. | APG defines menu focus movement, item roles, disabled items, separators, Enter and Space activation, Escape dismissal, focus return, and roving focus or aria-activedescendant. |
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 WAI. Last checked: .