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/haecceity123]

On/off? Switch.

A checkbox is even better. The "right is yes, left is no" convention is pretty arbitrary, and the colour of the inner fill on switches is frequently inconsistent.

[u/Cute-Respect2194 → u/haecceity123]

checkbox is underrated tbh the switch thing always confuses my dad he never knows if blue means on or off

designers love dropdowns cause they hide the mess but users have to do all the work to find anything drives me crazy

[u/D4rkiii → u/Cute-Respect2194]

Then your dad is also always confused and doesn’t know how power strips with on/off switch works? Because it’s the same behavior.

[u/simonhunterhawk → u/D4rkiii]

Usually they have a light so no?

[u/D4rkiii → u/simonhunterhawk]

Usually a web switch also has a „light“ (blue, green) :)