Drop-down list
A drop-down list in an Adaptive form allows users to select one or more option from a list of predefined options. The options can be of type String, Number, or Boolean. Additionally, the drop-down list component can be configured to have different validation and default values.
Example
Usage
There are several reasons why it is beneficial to include a drop-down list in an Adaptive Form, including:
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Long list of options: Drop-down lists are useful for situations where there is a long list of options are available for a field. They take up less space on the form than a list of radio buttons or checkboxes, and can be less overwhelming for users.
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Consistency: Drop-down lists provide consistency in the design and layout of the form, making it more intuitive and easy for users to navigate.
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Clarity: Drop-down lists can make the form more clear and easy to understand by providing a clear and concise list of options.
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User experience: Drop-down lists can be used to make the form more user-friendly by providing a clear and intuitive way for users to select options.
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Data analysis: Drop-down lists can be used to collect data from various sources and analyze it, or use it as input for further processing.
Properties Dialog
In this example, Options element is used to define the list items. The Display text element is used to provide a label for list items and Data Value is used to specify the value that is sent to the server when the form is submitted.
Each drop-down list option has a unique Data value and Display Text attribute. If a user selects the “Red” option, the corresponding Data Value is sent to the server when the form is submitted. This data can then be processed by a server-side script to determine which options were selected by the user, and can be used to perform various actions, such as updating other fields in the form or submitting the form data to a server-side script for further processing.
Additionally, The drop-down list can be configured to have different processing values for each option, and this can be set by using Adaptive Forms Rule Editor.
Version and Compatibility
The Adaptive Forms Accordion Core Component was released in Feb 2023 as part of the Core Components 2.0.4 for Cloud Service and Core Components 1.1.12 for AEM 6.5.16.0 Forms or later. Here’s a table showing all supported versions, AEM compatibility, and links to corresponding documentation:
release 2.0.4 and later
release 1.1.12 and later but less than 2.0.0.
For information on Core Component versions and releases, refer to the Core Components Versions document.
Technical Details
Get the latest information on the Adaptive Forms Drop-down list Core Component in the technical documentation on GitHub. For more on developing Core Components, check out the Core Components developer documentation.
Configure Dialog
You can easily customize your drop-down list experience for visitors with the Configure Dialog. You can also define drop-down list options with ease for a seamless user experience.
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Name - You can identify a form component easily with its unique name both in the form and in the rule editor, but the name must not contain spaces or special characters.
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Title - With its Title, you can easily identify a component in a form and by default, the title appears on top of the component. If you do not add a title, the name of the component is displayed instead of the title text.
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Mark as Unbound Form Element: Select the option to configure a form field not linked to any schema. This option allows you to save data without updating the data source. It also enables you to handle data in a custom way, separate from standard database integration.
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Hide Title - Select the option to hide the component’s Title.
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Allow multiple selection - Select this option to select multiple options from a drop-down list.
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Save value as - This option specifies the data type of the value sent when any option is selected. If the Save value as is set to
Number
and you add string data to Data Value on the Options tab, the screen displays aValue type mismatch
error message.In the Options tab, you can add data values and display text pairs using the Add button. Once a new option is added, the following actions are performed:
- Data Value - This option allows to enter the content to submit when an option is selected.
- Display Text - This option allows to enter the content to display in an Adaptive Form.
- Delete - Tap or click to delete the option of a drop-down menu .
- Rearrange - Tap or click and drag to rearrange the order for option of a drop-down menu.
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Default options - This option allows you to add default values. Use the delete icon to remove the added option. If the Save value as is set to
Number
and you add string data to Default options, the screen displays aValue type mismatch
error message. -
Placeholder text - Placeholder text in a form component refers to a short label or prompt that appears within an input field as a hint to the user on what type of information is expected to be entered in that field. Placeholder text disappears when the user starts typing into the field and reappears if the field is left empty. It provides a visual cue to the user, but does not act as a permanent label or value for the field.
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Bind Reference - A bind reference is a reference to a data element that is stored in an external data source and used in a form. The bind reference allows you to dynamically bind data to form fields, so that the form can display the most up-to-date data from the data source. For example, a bind reference can be used to display a customer’s name and address in a form, based on the customer’s ID entered into the form. The bind reference can also be used to update the data source with data entered into the form. In this way, AEM Forms enables you to create forms that interact with external data sources, providing a seamless user experience for collecting and managing data.
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Hide Component - Select the option to hide the component from the form. The component remains accessible for other purposes, such as using it for calculations in the Rule Editor. This is useful when you need to store information that doesn’t need to be seen or directly changed by the user.
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Disable Component - Select the option to disable the component. The disabled component is not active or editable by the end user. The user can see the value of the field but cannot modify it. The component remains accessible for other purposes, such as using it for calculations in the Rule Editor.
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Read-only - Select the option to make the component non-editable. The user can see the value of the field but cannot modify it. The component remains accessible for other purposes, such as using it for calculations in the Rule Editor.
Validation Tab
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Required - Select this option, if you want to display the component in an Adaptive Form. After selecting the option, you must make a selection before proceeding with a form submission. You cannot select the Hide Component or Disable Component in the Basic tab when this option is selected.
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Error Message - This option allows you to enter a message that is displayed if the Required checkbox is checked and the form field is left blank.
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Script Validation Message - This option allows you to enter a message to be displayed if the script validation fails.
Help Content Tab
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Short description - A short description is a brief text explanation that provides additional information or clarification about the purpose of a specific form field. It helps the user understand what type of data should be entered into the field and can provide guidelines or examples to help ensure that the information entered is valid and meets the desired criteria. By default, short descriptions remain hidden. Enable the Always show short description option to display it below the component.
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Always show short description - Enable the option to display the Short description below the component.
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Help text - Help text refers to additional information or guidance that is provided to the user to assist them in filling out a form field correctly. It appears when the user clicks the help icon (i) placed next to the component. Help text provides more detailed information than a form field’s label or placeholder text, and is designed to help the user understand the requirements or constraints of the field. It can also offer suggestions or examples to make filling out the form easier and more accurate.
Accessibility Tab
Text for screen readers - Text for screen readers refers to additional text that is specifically intended to be read by assistive technologies, such as screen readers, used by visually impaired individuals. This text provides an audio description of the form field’s purpose, and can include information about the field’s title, description, name, and any relevant messages (Custom text). The screen reader text helps ensure that the form is accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments, and provides them with a complete understanding of the form field and its requirements.
Design Dialog
Design Dialog is used to define and manage CSS styles for the Drop-down list component.
Styles Tab
The tab is used to define and manage CSS styles for a component. The Adaptive Forms drop-down list Core Component supports the AEM Style System.
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Default CSS Classes: You can provide a default CSS class for the Adaptive Forms Drop-down Core Component.
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Allowed Styles: You can define styles by providing a name and the CSS class that represents the style. For example, you can create a style named “bold text” and provide the CSS class “font-weight: bold”. You can use or apply these styles to an Adaptive Form in Adaptive Forms editor. To apply a style, in Adaptive Forms editor, select the component you want to apply the style to, navigate to the properties dialog, and select the desired style from the Styles drop-down list. If you need to update or modify the styles, simply return to the Design Dialog, update the styles in the styles tab, and save the changes.
Custom Properties
Custom properties allows you to associate custom attributes (key-value pairs) to an Adaptive Form core component using the form template. The custom properties are reflected in the properties section of the headless rendition of the component. It allows creating dynamic form behavior that adapts based on the custom attributes values. For example, developers can design various renditions of a Headless Forms component for mobile, desktop, or web platforms, significantly enhancing the user experience across a wide array of devices.
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Group Name: You can provide a name to identify the custom property group. You can add, delete, or rearrange multiple custom property groups. After adding the custom property group, you can see the following options:
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Key-Value Pairs: You can add multiple custom property names and custom property values by clicking the Add button for each custom property group.
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Delete: Tap or click to delete the custom property name and custom property value.
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Rearrange: Tap or click and drag to rearrange the order of the custom property name and custom property value.
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Related Articles
- Accordion
- Button
- Check Box Group
- Checkbox
- Date Picker
- Drop-down list
- Email-input
- Form Container
- File Attachment
- Form Fragment
- Footer
- Header
- Image
- Number Input
- Panel Container
- Horizontal tab
- Vertical tab
- Radio Button
- Reset Button
- Submit Button
- Switch
- Telephone input
- Text Input
- Text
- Title
- Terms and Conditions tab
- Wizard
See Also
- Create an AEM Adaptive Form
- Add an AEM Adaptive Form to AEM Sites page
- Apply themes to an AEM Adaptive Form
- Add components to an AEM Adaptive Form
- Use reCAPTCHA in an AEM Adaptive Form
- Generate PDF version (DoR) of an AEM Adaptive Form
- Translate an AEM Adaptive Form
- Enable Adobe Analytics for an Adaptive Form to track form usage
- Connect Adaptive Form to Microsoft SharePoint
- Connect Adaptive Form to Microsoft Power Automate
- Connect Adaptive Form to Microsoft OneDrive
- Connect Adaptive Form to Microsoft Azure Blob Storage
- Connect Adaptive Form to Salesforce
- Use Adobe Sign in an AEM Adaptive Form
- Add a new locale for an Adaptive Form
- Send Adaptive Form data to a database
- Send Adaptive Form data to a REST endpoint
- Send Adaptive Form data to AEM Workflow
- Use Forms Portal to list AEM Adaptive Forms on an AEM website