List Box, Singleselection

1
List Box, Single-selection

• Making the user select one item from a list of 6
• an alternative to radio buttons
• not good for
• the list is not yet complete or well-defined
• space is limited use a drop-down list box
  instead
• Guidelines
• provide some clue showing only one can be
  selected
• Select one of these items
• make sure all items can be viewed horizontally
• note the limits of the development package
• usability test make sure that no items need to
  be added

2
List Box, Multiple-selection

• Good for
• select 1 item from a long and possible dynamic
  list
• an alternative to check boxes, if options change
  often
• not good for
• situations when space is limited
• users may need to enter new items
• situations that could be done better graphically
• data-entry application
• Guidelines
• restrict to large functions like opening files
• keep in dialog boxes rather than on main windows
• the part of the list seen should be about 7, can
  10-20

3
MS List Box Guidelines

• Make the users choices obvious
• selection summary box or check box/listbox
  component
• on a scrolled list, add a label that says how
  many items
• How to organize lists
• alphanumeric order exact word or label
• categorical order answer to a question
• let users rearrange the list, done by turning
  column headings into sort toggle buttons
• searching lists electronically filters or a real
  search
• Usability test affordability, sort orders,
  search option or filters

4
Combo Box

• A combination of a list box and a text-entry area
• text-entry can have searching functions
• not good for
• select more than one item at a time
• fewer than 5 items
• Three styles
• simple combo box whenever enough space
• drop-down combo box limited space
• drop-down list box

5
Combo Box Guidelines

• Searching
• useful when the list is long
• Data entry
• do not force to pick items if list incomplete
• wrong spelling might damage data integrity
• check the task analysis
• Usability make sure users know can type select