# Multi-Select Dropdown

> A premium multi-select combobox: type to filter grouped, icon-led options with live match highlighting, selected values collapse into removable chips with a +N overflow pill, and a gradient selection meter tracks progress across the panel.

- Category: Dropdown Menu
- Frameworks: Vanilla, React + CSS, React + Tailwind
- Design system: Triangulum
- Dark mode: yes
- Access: premium (Atheros AI Pass)
- Tags: multi-select, combobox
- Page: https://builder.atheros.ai/components/multi-select
- Preview: https://d17nmjscumqk5d.cloudfront.net/builder/templates/tpl_builder_multi_select/preview-67b0d77f33a2.webp

## Features

- Multi-selectable listbox with grouped sections, Tabler icon tiles and `aria-selected` options
- Live match highlighting — the filtered substring is underlined inside each option label
- Selected values become removable chips; beyond three they collapse into a `+N more` overflow pill
- Gradient selection meter along the panel's top hairline that fills with the selected fraction
- Select all (of the filtered set) and Clear actions with an `N of M` live count in the panel head
- Gradient hairline focus ring around the trigger, masked so the surface stays solid
- Check mark that draws on via stroke with a spring reveal on selection
- Panel that springs open from the trigger edge with scale, blur and a shadow lift
- Staggered option reveal with a leading gradient accent bar on hover and keyboard focus
- Empty state with a Clear search action, plus keyboard hints in the panel footer
- Full keyboard support: type to filter, Arrow/Home/End to move, Enter or Space to toggle, Backspace removes the last chip, Escape closes
- Responsive control that adapts down to 280px and fully respects `prefers-reduced-motion`

## Accessibility

- **Multi-select listbox** — The list uses `role="listbox"` with `aria-multiselectable`; options use `role="option"` with `aria-selected`
- **Grouped options** — Each section uses `role="group"` labelled by its sticky group heading via `aria-labelledby`
- **Combobox trigger** — The input uses `role="combobox"` with `aria-expanded`, `aria-controls`, `aria-haspopup` and `aria-autocomplete`
- **Roving focus** — Focus stays on the input; the active option is exposed via `aria-activedescendant`
- **Removable chips** — Each chip has a labelled remove button; the overflow pill exposes `aria-expanded`
- **Live status** — The status line uses `aria-live="polite"` to announce the selection
- **Focus indicators** — `:focus-visible` with `--ring` outline on all interactive elements
- **Target sizes** — All interactive controls, including chip remove buttons, are at least 24×24px
- **Reduced motion** — `prefers-reduced-motion: reduce` disables all animations

## Keyboard shortcuts

- `ArrowDown` — Open the panel or move focus to the next option
- `ArrowUp` — Open the panel or move focus to the previous option
- `Home` — Move focus to the first option
- `End` — Move focus to the last option
- `Enter` — Toggle the focused option
- `Space` — Toggle the focused option when the search box is empty
- `Backspace` — Remove the most recently selected chip when the search box is empty
- `Escape` — Close the panel, or clear the search when already closed
- `Tab` — Close the panel and move focus onward

## Common questions

**Which frameworks is Multi-Select Dropdown available in?**

Multi-Select Dropdown ships as Vanilla, React + CSS and React + Tailwind — HTML, CSS, JS and React source you can copy, download or clone into Atheros AI Builder.

**Is the Multi-Select Dropdown dropdown menu component free?**

Multi-Select Dropdown is a premium component. Anyone can preview it; the source, downloads and AI customisation are included with Atheros AI Pass.

**Does Multi-Select Dropdown support dark mode?**

Yes. Multi-Select Dropdown ships light and dark themes, both drawn from the Triangulum design system's tokens. Switch the preview to dark mode to compare them.

## Get the code

Preview Multi-Select Dropdown live, then sign in to copy or download the source, apply another design system, or ask the AI assistant to change it: https://builder.atheros.ai/components/multi-select

Every component on https://builder.atheros.ai is also reachable from Claude Code, Cursor and Codex through the Atheros MCP server (paid plans). Component index: https://builder.atheros.ai/llms-components.txt