Purpose
Prerequisites
Focus an enabled dropdown that offers these controls. Disabled dropdowns are not focusable. Check whether the list allows a single choice or multiple choices, and whether it includes a search field.
Steps
- Up/Down Arrow, Enter or Space opens the options. Home/End opens at the first/last available option.
- In the open list, use Up/Down Arrow to navigate, Home/End for the first/last option, or Page Up/Page Down for a larger jump. Hidden and disabled options are skipped.
- Enter or Space selects a single choice or toggles a multiple-selection choice. In a search field, Space types a space instead; Enter without an active search result leaves the list open.
- Escape dismisses without choosing the highlighted option. Tab continues to the next control; in single-select it also chooses the highlighted option only if you moved to a valid option. Check the selected value before continuing.
Fields and columns
- Highlighted option — the current keyboard target, not necessarily the selected value.
- Selected value — the chosen single option or multiple choices.
- Search — filters options while retaining its text-editing behavior.
Expected result
The intended option is selected or the dropdown is dismissed. Continue through the surrounding form and save/apply where that form requires it; selecting an option is not confirmation that a record was saved.
Limitations
These shortcuts do not establish screen-reader compatibility or change the table filter panel's separate Enter-to-apply rule. See Apply filters and choose columns for that task. Not every dropdown offers the same behavior.
Errors and recovery
If the shortcuts are unavailable, use the visible controls and check the selected value. If searching leaves no active result, refine the search or dismiss the list rather than assuming Enter selected something. Confirm the page and access if the control is missing or disabled.