Do you want to offer multiple list options on your WordPress forms but you are worried about the chaotic and busy form layout? The answer is a Multi-Select Dropdown field!
Whether you’re creating pre-application forms, surveys, or any other forms where data collection is the priority, the Multi-Select field can help you declutter and optimize your forms, when the screen space is limited.
In today’s article, we will take a look at how to add a Multi-Select field and when to use this field in your WordPress form. We’ll also explore the best practices for using the Multi-Select field, and we will show you how you can style this field using our styling plugin. Let’s begin!
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 Dropdown in WordPress
Ninja Forms give you a full access to all existing form fields including the Multi-Select Dropdown field. This way, you can enjoy form-building to the fullest even if you are just creating your first form ever!
To add a Multi-Select field to your WordPress form, navigate to Common Fields section and drag and drop, or click on the field to automatically add it to your form builder.
Once you add a Multi-Select Dropdown box to your WordPress form, you’ll discover a range of settings this form field provides. Make sure you have your developer mode on so you can see all the existing features. Just unlock it free and enjoy the perks! Keep in mind the Styles section is only available if you have the styling plugin installed.
The setting we’d like to highlight is the Multi-Select Box Size settings. This feature lets you adjust the number of list option that are viewable by the user at one time without scrolling through the list.
Just 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 are making 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 if you like.
Now that you know how to add a Multi-Select Dropdown to your form, let’s dive into more exciting stuff. The real use in your WordPress form!
2. When to use a Multi-Select List box
The Multi-Select field is a list field that allows you to select 2 or more options from a drop-down list. When you have a very little space on your website but you need to give a user options, dropdowns make your forms user-friendly and efficient.
For example, if you are an organization or university offering courses for students and want to allow them to pick multiple options at once, dropdowns are Swiss Army Knife of input fields. You collect input from a user but he does not need to type anything out. Easy as that!
A great use case of a multi select list box is if you are a recruitment agency. When your clients are filling out a job application form, 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.
To make multiple selections, clicking + pressing the command or shift key is required. 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 the Graphic Design.
Best practices for using a Dropdown Multi-Select option
Before we get into the best practices for using the multi-select field, we want to emphasize that if you want users to be able to select only one option from the dropdown menu, we recommend you using the Select Field. Now let’s get to it!
Use dropdown when there are 5 or more options
Consider using a dropdown menu when you’ve got five or more options to offer. When there are fewer than five choices, it’s pretty easy for users to glance through the list and make their pick from a field such as radio list.
But, once you hit the five-plus mark, a dropdown comes to the rescue. It lets users zip through the options quickly. This not only helps them find what they want faster but also keeps your page looking neat and tidy.
Use short and descriptive list options
When users see a dropdown menu, it’s important 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 dropdown list, especially if there are a lot of options available in the list. It will help users to navigate through your form faster.
Avoid using too many dropdowns on your form
Dropdown menus can be helpful for sorting and showing information. However, if there are lots of them, it can get confusing and frustrating for users. Too many dropdowns on a single page can make it hard for users to navigate. So, it’s important to remember that you should only use dropdowns when it’s really needed and when it’s logical to do so.
Don’t use dropdowns to ask questions
Dropdowns are meant for providing users with a list of choices to pick from. Asking questions in the form of dropdowns leads to confusion and it can overwhelm users as they have to think about their answer before choosing an option.
Use open-ended text fields such as Single Line Text field or Paragraph field. This allows users to freely type their answers without being constrained to a limited set of options. Using open-ended text fields also gives you more flexibility in accepting various types of answers.
Maintain design consistency
Ensure that all your dropdowns share a uniform appearance, encompassing elements like font size, color, and spacing. When all your dropdowns maintain the same look and feel, it creates a sense of familiarity for users. They know what to expect and how to interact with these elements, which reduces cognitive load and helps them find the information or options they’re seeking more efficiently.
How to style a Dropdown Multi-Select
Ninja Forms is designed to inherit the style of your WordPress theme to match your page aesthetically. However, if you want to make additional styling changes to your form or to your Multi-Selet fields, you can do that with our Layout & Styles add-on.
Whether you want to change the background or border of your Multi-Select list field, resize the font or change the font family, this is possible with our styling plugin without writing a single line of a code. However, if you are familiar with CSS, you can write your own CSS rules and apply the setting with a press of a button to your form!
As an 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.
Congratulations on your mastery of the Multi-Select Field!
You’ve just mastered the Multi-Select Dropdown field. You deserve a well-earned high five! We hope you are now confident about using this WordPress form field on your online form.
Select field with multiple selection is a great choice for your online form if you want to give users options to select more than one option from a pick list. But there are other form fields you should know about when building your forms.
We got you covered here! You can 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 a variety of features that will 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 for yourself why it is amongs the best free WordPress form plugins on the market!
