Dropdown menus show predefined options on tap. Basic dropdowns allow single selection, while some enable multiple selections with tags appearing at the top.

Research suggests caution with dropdowns: they hide options, can overwhelm users when expanded, and require significant interaction effort, especially with long scrolling lists.

Consider these alternatives:

• Optimize option lists: For lengthy dropdowns, add auto-suggest search and prioritize frequent options at the top
• Use simpler controls: For 5 or fewer options, use radio buttons to make choices immediately visible
• Consider text input: Though typing requires effort, it's often faster than dropdown selection for familiar data like birth dates
• Set smart defaults: Include common selections based on user research to reduce interaction steps
• Automate when possible: Let systems detect information automatically (like card type from number) rather than asking users.^[1]