Listbox

Allows selection of one or more items from a list of options.

Screenshots

No screenshot yet.

Introduction

The listbox pattern is a JavaScript widget. It allows selection of one or more items from a list of options.

Because it is not a form control, the value will not be passed to the server without the help of some client-side JavaScript.

A listbox can be self-contained, or be controlled by another widget (e.g. in a combobox pattern, the textbox controls the listbox).

Known Issues

These are all known serious issues with assistive technology in relation to this pattern:

Working Examples

Experience the pattern in action on our companion eBay MIND Patterns examples website.

Examine the required markup structure in our our Bones GitHub project.

View a fully styled example in our eBay Skin CSS framework.

Terminology

widget: the pattern as a whole, comprised of the parts below
listbox: contains a list of options
option: each option available for selection
checked: state of each option (checked or unchecked)

Configuration

autoSelect: a listbox with auto select will update its checked state automatically as a user navigates with arrow keys (similar to a radio button group).
multiSelect: a listbox with multiSelect allows more than one option to be selected
owner: specify the focusable element that will own and control the listbox programmatically (e.g. a combobox).

Best Practices

This section is not yet available.

Interaction Design

This section provides interaction design for keyboard, screen reader & pointing devices.

Keyboard

If the listbox has no owner, the listbox must be keyboard focusable.

If a listbox has keyboard focus, UP-ARROW and DOWN-ARROW keys must change the highlighted option (skipping any that are disabled).

For a focusable listbox, keyboard focus will appear to be at two places at the same time (the listbox and the options). In actual fact, keyboard focus always stays on the listbox. The aria-activedescendant property controls the pseudo-focus inside of the listbox and we can use CSS to style the active descendant.

For a listbox with autoSelect configuration, highlighting an option must also select that option (i.e. aria-checked="true").

For a listbox without autoSelect configutation, a highlighted option must be manually selected using the SPACEBAR or ENTER key.

With virtual cursor on listbox, screen reader should announce role of listbox.

The checked state of an option must be announced.

Disabled options must be announced as disabled.

Pointer

Clicking or tapping button will toggle expanded state of flyout.

Clicking or tapping option in flyout will update button to that value.

Developer Guide