> **Source:** https://knowledge.leegality.com/document-execution/template/html-template/formatting-and-editing/dropdown
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---
# Dropdown

Dropdowns (also called select menus) allow signers to choose one or more options from a list. Use dropdowns to collect selections like country, payment method, industry, department, or any other choice from a predefined list.

> **Info — When to Use Dropdowns**
>
> Use dropdowns when you have 7 or more options. For fewer options (2-6), consider using **[Radio Buttons](https://knowledge.leegality.com/document-execution/template/html-template/formatting-and-editing/radio-button)** instead, as they're easier to scan and require one less click.

## Create & add a dropdown

Follow these steps to insert a dropdown into your template:

1. In the HTML Template editor, place your cursor where you want the dropdown to appear.
2. On the toolbar, click the **Dropdown** icon.
3. The configuration popup will open with two tabs:
   - **Basic tab:** Configure the dropdown name and options
     - **Dropdown Name:** Label visible to signers (e.g., "Select Country", "Choose Payment Method")
     - **Dropdown Options:** List of choices with Preview Text and Value for each option
   - **More Options tab:** Control dropdown behavior
     - **Allow Multiple Selections:** Let signers select multiple options
     - **Mandatory Field:** Require signers to make a selection
4. Configure your dropdown settings (explained in detail in the sections below).
5. Click **OK**.

> **Tip — Use Clear Names**
>
> The Dropdown Name is visible to signers, so use a clear, descriptive label that indicates what should be selected.

## Build your dropdown list

Add and organise the options that will appear in your dropdown menu.

### Understanding Preview Text vs Value

For each dropdown option, you provide two pieces of information:

- **Preview Text:** What you see while building the template (helps you identify options during creation)
- **Value:** What signers see in the dropdown menu (the actual selectable text)

**Example:**
```
Preview Text          Value
-------------------   -------------------
Option 1             India
Option 2             United States
Option 3             United Kingdom
```

### Add options

1. In the Basic tab, enter the **Preview Text** in the Preview Text field.
2. Enter the **Value** in the Value field (this is what signers will see).
3. Click the **Add** button to add the option to the list.
4. Repeat for each option you want to include.

You can add as many dropdown options as needed.

> **Tip — Meaningful Values**
>
> Make sure the Value field contains clear, user-friendly text that signers will understand. This is what they'll see and select.

### Modify an option

To edit an existing option:

1. **Select the entry** from the list you want to change.
2. Make changes to the Preview Text or Value fields.
3. Click **Modify** to update the option.

### Reorder options

Use the ordering buttons to arrange options in the desired sequence:

- **Move Up:** Move the selected option higher in the list
- **Move Down:** Move the selected option lower in the list

> **Tip — Logical Ordering**
>
> Organise your dropdown options in a logical order—alphabetically, by frequency of use, or by importance. Place the most commonly selected options near the top to reduce scrolling and improve user experience.

### Remove an option

To delete an option:

1. Select an option from the list.
2. Click **Delete** to remove that entry.

### Set a default selection

To pre-select an option:

1. Select the option you want to set as the default.
2. Click **Set as default selected value**.

This option will be pre-selected when the document is opened.

> **Tip — Set Defaults Wisely**
>
> Only set a default if there's a clear most-common choice. Avoid biasing responses in surveys or forms where neutral selection is important.

## Configure dropdown options

Use the **More Options** tab to customise the behavior of your dropdown.

### Allow multiple selections

To let signers select multiple options:

1. Open the dropdown configuration popup (or right-click an existing dropdown and select **Dropdown properties**).
2. Go to the **More Options** tab.
3. Check the **Allow Multiple Selections** checkbox.
4. Click **OK**.

**When to use:**
- Selecting multiple services or features
- Choosing multiple categories
- Multi-selection surveys or forms

> **Info**
>
> When multiple selections are allowed, signers typically hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) to select multiple items, or the interface may show checkboxes.

> **Warning**
>
> Only enable multiple selections when it's truly necessary, as it can be less intuitive for users than single selection.

### Make field mandatory

To require signers to make a selection:

1. Open the dropdown configuration popup (or right-click an existing dropdown and select **Dropdown properties**).
2. Go to the **More Options** tab.
3. Check the **Mandatory Field** checkbox.
4. Click **OK**.

Signers will be unable to complete the document until they select at least one option.

**When to use:**
- Required selections
- Essential categorisations
- Critical choices that cannot be skipped

> **Tip**
>
> Only mark fields as mandatory when they are truly required. Too many mandatory fields can frustrate signers.

## Manage & edit dropdowns

After placing dropdowns in your template, you can modify, move, or duplicate them as needed.

### Change dropdown properties

To edit an existing dropdown:

1. **Right-click** on the dropdown inside the editor.
2. Select **Dropdown properties** from the menu.
3. Modify any settings:
   - Change the dropdown name
   - Add, modify, or delete options
   - Reorder options
   - Adjust the default selection
   - Update multiple selection or mandatory settings
4. Click **OK** to save your changes.

> **Info — Note**
>
> All the original settings will be visible and editable, including the complete list of options with their Preview Text and Values.

### Move or duplicate a dropdown

To move or copy a dropdown to a different location:

1. Select the dropdown you want to perform the action.
2. **Right-click** the dropdown.
3. Select **Cut** (to move) or **Copy** (to duplicate).
4. Move your cursor to the new location.
5. **Right-click** and select **Paste**.

## Preview your dropdown

1. Locate the **Preview** button in the bottom-left corner of the editor.
2. Click **Preview** to view how your template will appear to signers.
3. Test the dropdown functionality:
   - Click the dropdown to view all options
   - Verify options appear in the correct order
   - Check that the default selection is appropriate
   - If multiple selections are enabled, test selecting multiple options
4. Exit preview mode and make any necessary adjustments.

> **Tip**
>
> Always preview your dropdowns after creation to ensure all options are visible, the default selection is correct, and the ordering makes sense for signers.