Do you want to offer multiple list options on your WordPress forms without creating a busy, chaotic form layout? Use the WordPress Multi-Select drop-down field!
For pre-application forms, surveys, and other forms prioritizing data collection, the Multi-Select field helps declutter and optimize forms with limited screen space.
Let’s discuss how to add Multi-Select fields and when to use them in WordPress forms. We’ll also explore best practices for using them and show you how to style them using our styling plugin.
Table of Contents
- How to add a Multi-Select Dropdown in WordPress
- When to use a Multi-Select List box
- Best practices for using a Dropdown Multi-Select option
- How to style a Dropdown Multi-Select field
1. How to Add a Multi-Select Drop-Down in WordPress
Ninja Forms gives you access to all existing form fields, including the Multi-Select drop-down field. This way, you can enjoy form-building to the fullest, even if you’re creating your first form ever!
To add a Multi-Select field to a WordPress form, navigate to the Common Fields section and drag and drop, or click on the field to automatically add it to the form builder.
After adding a Multi-Select drop-down to a form in WordPress, you’ll discover various settings for it. Ensure you’ve enabled developer mode to see all the existing features. Unlock it for free and enjoy the perks! Remember that the Styles section is only available if the styling plugin is installed.
The Multi-Select Box Size settings deserve a highlight. This feature lets you adjust how many list options users can see without scrolling.
Imagine your list has about 300 options. You probably wouldn’t like to display all those fields at once! Using the Multi-Select Box size, you can make your forms more user-friendly and visually appealing.
You can select to display any number of list options you like. We don’t set a minimum or maximum number of list options. You can choose to show 5,100 or even a thousand.
2. When to Use a Multi-Select List Box
The Multi-Select field is a list field that allows you to select two or more options from a drop-down list. When you have very little space on your website but you need to give a user options, drop-downs make your forms user-friendly and efficient.
Suppose you are an organization or university offering courses for students and want to allow them to pick multiple options at once. In that case, drop-downs are the Swiss Army Knife of input fields. You collect input from a user, but they do not need to type anything out. Easy as that!
Recruitment agencies are a great use case for multi-select list boxes. When your clients fill out a job application form, a multi-select field lets them select all the applicable skills for their job profile, so you can later match those skills with the potential job requirements.
Clicking while pressing the command or shift key is required to make multiple selections. Also, if you are looking for an option based on the letter in the alphabet, all you need to do is press the letter, and it will automatically jump to that list option. For example, when you press G on the keyboard, you will automatically jump to the list option starting with G, which is Graphic Design.
Best Practices for Using a Drop-Down Multi-Select Option
Before discussing the best practices for using the multi-select field, we want to emphasize that if you want users to select only one option from the drop-down menu, we recommend using the Select Field. Now, let’s get to it!
Use a Drop-Down When There Are 5 or More Options
Consider using a drop-down menu when you offer five or more options. When there are fewer than five choices, it’s easy for users to glance through the list and select a field, such as a radio list.
But, once you hit the five-plus mark, a drop-down comes to the rescue. It lets users zip through the options quickly. This helps them find what they want faster and keeps your page looking neat and tidy.
One example is using a drop-down on a WordPress contact form for selecting something like the user’s state or city. They can easily complete a field in seconds that would take longer to type out.
Use Short and Descriptive List Options
When users see a drop-down menu, it’s essential that they can easily understand the options. If the label isn’t clear, it can lead to confusion and frustration as users try to figure out which option to pick. To make your labels user-friendly, describe the choices in simple language, and avoid using technical words that not everyone may know. This way, you’ll ensure a smooth and straightforward user experience.
Consider alphabetizing your multi-select drop-down list, especially if there are many options available. This will help users navigate through your form faster.
Avoid Using Too Many Drop-Downs on Your Form
Drop-down menus help sort and show information. However, using too many of them can confuse and frustrate users by complicating user navigation, so only use them when necessary and logical.
Don’t Use Drop-Downs to Ask Questions
Drop-downs provide users with a list of choices. Asking questions in drop-down format can overwhelm users, as they must consider their answer before choosing an option.
Open-ended text fields like Single Line Text or Paragraph fields allow users to type their answers without constraint. Using open-ended text fields also gives you more flexibility in accepting various answer types.
Maintain Design Consistency
Ensure a uniform drop-down appearance, encompassing elements like font size, color, and spacing. This visual uniformity creates a sense of familiarity for users. They know what to expect and how to interact with these elements, reducing cognitive load and helping them find information or options more efficiently.
How to Style a Drop-Down Multi-Select
Ninja Forms inherits the style of your WordPress theme to match your page design. However, you can make additional styling changes to a form or Multi-Select field using our Layout & Styles add-on.
Customizing your WordPress multi-select drop-down with our plugin allows you to change the background or border of your Multi-Select list field, resize the font, or change the font family. Our styling plugin makes it possible without writing a single line of code. However, if you are familiar with CSS, you can write your own CSS rules and apply the settings to your form with the press of a button!
For example, we decided to change the border color of the Multi-Select box. We clicked on the Multi-Select field and navigated to the Styles section > Element Styles. With one click, we picked the color from the color picker and changed the border color.
Our styling plugin allows you to do many exciting things, and we encourage you to explore How to Style Your WordPress Forms (Easy Examples) to learn tips and tricks.
Congratulations on Your Mastery of the Multi-Select Field!
We hope you’ve gained the confidence needed to use this WordPress form field on your online form.
A select field with multiple selection is an excellent choice for your online form if you want to allow users to select multiple options from a pick list. However, there are other form fields you should know about when building your forms.
Explore our detailed guides for our top Ninja Forms fields below, which come with practical use cases. These resources will assist you in understanding the purposes of each form field so you can create more engaging and user-friendly forms for your website visitors.
- How to Add a Radio Button in WordPress
- How to Use a Single Checkbox Field in WordPress
- 5 Ways to Use an HTML Field in Your WordPress Form
- Dropdown Select Field in WordPress Forms (Quick Guide)
- 5 Ways to Use a Single Line Text Field in WordPress
If you haven’t already tried the Ninja Forms plugin, you can download it for free and access various features that enhance your WordPress forms.
Don’t miss out on the chance to unlock the full potential of your forms without the need for an upgrade. Give Ninja Forms a spin and see why it is among the best free WordPress form plugins on the market!
