Synonyms: Switch with menu, list button

See also: Split button, drop-down list, menu, context menu, button

Menu buttons are for showing a menu (see DIN EN ISO 9241-161: 8.25).

A menu button consists of a text or graphic label and a visual indicator in order to identify the menu button as such (usually a border). The menu button also has a visual indicator which makes reference to the possibility for showing a menu (arrow icon).

Figure 36: Menu button - closed left, open right

The requirements concerning the button and the menu are described in the “button” and/or “menu” section. Here, only the additional requirements are described which result from the fact that a menu can be opened with the button. The requirements concerning the menu and the menu items that it contains only apply if the menu is open.

No.PropertyDescriptionClassificationReference
556ContrastThe arrow icon for opening and closing the menu must have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 with respect to the neighboring color.MustEN 301 549: 9.1.4.11, 11.1.4.11
557ContrastIf the selected menu item only differs from the unselected menu item in the open state due to its color (e.g. foreground or background color), the colors must have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1.

Note: The selected menu item does not have to be color coded or marked with color only. It can be marked with a check box, for example. In this case, the contrast requirements for the color coding are eliminated as long as the check box has sufficient contrasts.

MustEN 301 549: 9.1.4.11, 11.1.4.11

The requirements concerning the button and the menu are described in the “button” and/or “menu” section. Here, only the additional requirements are described which result from the fact that a menu can be opened with the button. The requirements concerning the menu and the menu items that it contains only apply if the menu is open.

Use of the keyboard: menu button

Permalink "Use of the keyboard: menu button"
ActionKeyClassification
Opening the menuSPACE
ENTER
ALT+DOWN ARROW
Required
Opening the menuDOWN ARROW
UP ARROW
Recommended
Closing the menuESC
SPACE
ENTER
Required

Use of the pointing device: menu button

Permalink "Use of the pointing device: menu button"
ActionKeyClassification
Opening the menuLeft click on the menu button (label or arrow)Required
Closing the menuLeft click on the menu button (label or arrow)Required
Closing the menuLeft click on a menu item inside the open menuRequired
Closing the menuLeft click outside the menu button and the menuRequired

The requirements concerning the button and the menu are described in the “button” and/or “menu” section. Here, only the additional requirements are described which result from the fact that a menu can be opened with the button. The requirements concerning the menu and the menu items that it contains only apply if the menu is open.

No.PropertyDescriptionClassificationReference
558RoleThe menu button role must be communicated to the Accessibility API (see (Accessibility API)).MustEN 301 549: 9.4.1.2, 11.4.1.2, 11.5.2.5
559StatusThe status of the menu button must be communicated to the Accessibility API (see Element status).

Note: This also applies to the “open” or “closed” status.

MustEN 301 549: 9.4.1.2, 11.4.1.2, 11.5.2.5

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