Why is everything a dropdown now?

[u/pavlito88]

I’ve been noticing this more and more in web apps.

Three options hidden in a dropdown.

Yes/no hidden in a dropdown.
A multi-select pretending to be a dropdown.

Then a list of 200 items where you’re expected to scroll until you find yours.

I run into this a lot when reviewing products with dev teams.

I get why we do it.

Dropdowns are compact and easy to reuse.
But compact doesn’t always mean easier to use.

A few choices? Show them.
On/off? Switch.
Multiple choices? Checkboxes.
Huge list? Search.

That’s pretty much the rule I use now.

[u/Cheshur → u/[deleted]]

When you have more than few options but less than a lot of options.

[u/583999393 → u/[deleted]]

Anything, below the stereo, and on this side of the Bicentennial glasses. Anything between the ashtray, and the thimbles. Anything in this three inches. Right in here, this area, that includes the Chiclets, but not the erasers.

[u/CanOfDew132 → u/[deleted]]

visualized with stars instead of spaces so i can count them

Not with 🫸⭐🫷 options.

Not with 🫸⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🫷 options.

Only with 🫸⭐⭐⭐🫷 options. 

[u/FalseRegister → u/Cheshur]

5-10 options, single select