DropDownList Appearance

As of the R1 2022 release, the DropDownList component uses a new rendering. To learn more about the reasons for this decision, see the Components Appearance article.

For a live example of the DropDownList styling options, visit the DropDownList Appearance Demo.

Options

The DropDownList supports the following styling options:

Size—configures the overall size of the component.
Rounded—configures the border radius of the component.
FillMode—configures how the color is applied to the component.

Size

The Size option controls the size of the DropDownList. The k-picker-{size} class, which is applied to the wrapping span element of the DropDownList, reflects the value of the Size option.

The following values are available for the Size option:

Small—small size (applies the k-picker-sm class to the wrapping span element)
Medium—medium size (applies the k-picker-md class to the wrapping span element)
Large—large size (applies the k-picker-lg class to the wrapping span element)
None—unset.

The following example demonstrates how to set Size in the declaration of the DropDownList:

    @(Html.Kendo().DropDownList()
        .Name("categories")
        .Size(ComponentSize.Medium)
        .HtmlAttributes(new { style = "width:100%" })
        .OptionLabel("Select category...")
        .DataTextField("CategoryName")
        .DataValueField("CategoryId")
        .Height(310)
        .Template("<span class=\"k-state-default\" style=\"background-image: url(" + Url.Content("~/Content/web/dropdownlist/") + "#:data.CategoryId#.jpg" + ");\" ></span>" +
            "<span class=\"k-state-default\" style=\"padding-left: 15px;\"><h3>#: data.CategoryName #</h3></span>")
        .ValueTemplate("<span class=\"selected-value\" style=\"background-image: url(" + Url.Content("~/Content/web/dropdownlist/") + "#:data.CategoryId#.jpg" + ");\" ></span>" + "<span>#:data.CategoryName#</span>")
        .DataSource(source =>
        {
            source.Read(read =>
            {
                read.Action("Overview_Get_Categories", "DropDownList");
            });
        })
        .FooterTemplate("Total number of <strong>#: instance.dataSource.total() #</strong> categories found")
    )

<kendo-dropdownlist name="categories"
                    datatextfield="CategoryName"
                    datavaluefield="CategoryId"
                    size="ComponentSize.Medium"
                    option-label="Select category..."
                    height="310"
                    template="<span class='k-state-default' style='background-image: url(/Content/web/dropdownlist/#:data.CategoryId#.jpg);'></span><span class='k-state-default' style='padding-left: 15px;'><h3>#: data.CategoryName #</h3></span>"
                    value-template="<span class='selected-value' style='background-image: url(/Content/web/dropdownlist/#:data.CategoryId#.jpg);'></span><span>#:data.CategoryName#</span>"
                    footer-template="Total number of <strong>#: instance.dataSource.total() #</strong> categories found">

    <datasource>
        <transport>
            <read url="@Url.Action("Overview_Get_Categories", "DropDownList")" />
        </transport>
    </datasource>
</kendo-dropdownlist>

The default Size value is Medium and it is applied to the wrapping span element through the k-picker-md class.

<span class="k-dropdownlist k-picker k-picker-md">
</span>

Rounded

The Rounded option controls the border radius of the DropDownList. The class that corresponds to the Rounded option is k-rounded-{rounded}.

The following values are available for the Rounded option:

Small—small border radius (applies the k-rounded-sm class to the wrapping span element)
Medium—medium border radius (applies the k-rounded-md class to the wrapping span element)
Large—large border radius (applies the k-rounded-lg class to the wrapping span element)
Full—largest border radius (applies the k-rounded-full class to the wrapping span element)
None—unset.

The following example demonstrates how to set Rounded in the declaration of the DropDownList:

    @(Html.Kendo().DropDownList()
        .Name("categories")
        .Rounded(Rounded.Medium)
        .HtmlAttributes(new { style = "width:100%" })
        .OptionLabel("Select category...")
        .DataTextField("CategoryName")
        .DataValueField("CategoryId")
        .Height(310)
        .Template("<span class=\"k-state-default\" style=\"background-image: url(" + Url.Content("~/Content/web/dropdownlist/") + "#:data.CategoryId#.jpg" + ");\" ></span>" +
            "<span class=\"k-state-default\" style=\"padding-left: 15px;\"><h3>#: data.CategoryName #</h3></span>")
        .ValueTemplate("<span class=\"selected-value\" style=\"background-image: url(" + Url.Content("~/Content/web/dropdownlist/") + "#:data.CategoryId#.jpg" + ");\" ></span>" + "<span>#:data.CategoryName#</span>")
        .DataSource(source =>
        {
            source.Read(read =>
            {
                read.Action("Overview_Get_Categories", "DropDownList");
            });
        })
        .FooterTemplate("Total number of <strong>#: instance.dataSource.total() #</strong> categories found")
    )

<kendo-dropdownlist name="categories"
                    datatextfield="CategoryName"
                    datavaluefield="CategoryId"
                    rounded="Rounded.Medium"
                    option-label="Select category..."
                    height="310"
                    template="<span class='k-state-default' style='background-image: url(/Content/web/dropdownlist/#:data.CategoryId#.jpg);'></span><span class='k-state-default' style='padding-left: 15px;'><h3>#: data.CategoryName #</h3></span>"
                    value-template="<span class='selected-value' style='background-image: url(/Content/web/dropdownlist/#:data.CategoryId#.jpg);'></span><span>#:data.CategoryName#</span>"
                    footer-template="Total number of <strong>#: instance.dataSource.total() #</strong> categories found">

    <datasource>
        <transport>
            <read url="@Url.Action("Overview_Get_Categories", "DropDownList")" />
        </transport>
    </datasource>

The default Rounded value is Medium and it is applied to the wrapping span element through the k-rounded-md class.

<span class="k-dropdownlist k-picker k-rounded-md">
</span>

The FillMode option controls the way color is applied to the rendered DropDownList. The k-picker-{fillMode} class, which is applied to the wrapping span element of the DropDownList, reflects the value of the FillMode option.

The following values are available for the FillMode option:

Solid—applies the k-picker-solid class to the wrapping span element
Flat—applies the k-picker-flat class to the wrapping span element
Outline—applies the k-picker-outline class to the wrapping span element
None—unset.

The following example demonstrates how to set FillMode in the declaration of the DropDownList:

    @(Html.Kendo().DropDownList()
        .Name("categories")
        .FillMode(FillMode.Solid)
        .HtmlAttributes(new { style = "width:100%" })
        .OptionLabel("Select category...")
        .DataTextField("CategoryName")
        .DataValueField("CategoryId")
        .Height(310)
        .Template("<span class=\"k-state-default\" style=\"background-image: url(" + Url.Content("~/Content/web/dropdownlist/") + "#:data.CategoryId#.jpg" + ");\" ></span>" +
            "<span class=\"k-state-default\" style=\"padding-left: 15px;\"><h3>#: data.CategoryName #</h3></span>")
        .ValueTemplate("<span class=\"selected-value\" style=\"background-image: url(" + Url.Content("~/Content/web/dropdownlist/") + "#:data.CategoryId#.jpg" + ");\" ></span>" + "<span>#:data.CategoryName#</span>")
        .DataSource(source =>
        {
            source.Read(read =>
            {
                read.Action("Overview_Get_Categories", "DropDownList");
            });
        })
        .FooterTemplate("Total number of <strong>#: instance.dataSource.total() #</strong> categories found")
    )

<kendo-dropdownlist name="categories"
                    datatextfield="CategoryName"
                    datavaluefield="CategoryId"
                    fill-mode="FillMode.Solid"
                    option-label="Select category..."
                    height="310"
                    template="<span class='k-state-default' style='background-image: url(/Content/web/dropdownlist/#:data.CategoryId#.jpg);'></span><span class='k-state-default' style='padding-left: 15px;'><h3>#: data.CategoryName #</h3></span>"
                    value-template="<span class='selected-value' style='background-image: url(/Content/web/dropdownlist/#:data.CategoryId#.jpg);'></span><span>#:data.CategoryName#</span>"
                    footer-template="Total number of <strong>#: instance.dataSource.total() #</strong> categories found">

    <datasource>
        <transport>
            <read url="@Url.Action("Overview_Get_Categories", "DropDownList")" />
        </transport>
    </datasource>
</kendo-dropdownlist>

The default FillMode value is Solid and it is applied to the wrapping span element through the k-picker-solid class.

<span class="k-dropdownlist k-picker k-picker-solid">
</span>

Old vs New Rendering

The old rendering of the component consisted of several wrapping elements:

The outer span wrapper with the k-dropdown and k-widget classes.
```


```

The inner span wrapper with the k-dropdown-wrap class.

<span class="k-dropdown-wrap k-state-default">
</span>

The input element with the k-input class. This element is a child of the k-dropdown-wrap span.
```
<input class="k-input" role="combobox" >

```
The button span element with k-select class. This element is a child of the k-dropdown-wrap span and renders the button which expands the dropdown on click.
```


```
The icon span element with the k-icon class. This element is a child of the k-select span and renders the dropdown arrow icon.
```

```

The new rendering of the component consists of a single wrapping span element that contains the child input and button elements:

The span element controls the overall appearance of the widget and has the following class structure:
```


```
The span element controls the appearance of the DropDownList itself and has the following class structure:
```

```

The button element controls the appearance of the button that expands the dropdown popup and has the following class structure:

<button type="button" class="k-select k-input-button k-button k-icon-button k-button-md k-button-solid k-button-solid-base k-icon-button">
</button>

The inner span element renders the dropdown arrow icon of the DropDownList and has the following class structure:
```

```
The input with data-role="dropdownlist" attribute

 <input id="products" data-role="dropdownlist">

With the previous versions, when the filtering was enabled, the search icon in the DropDownList popup was rendered on the right side. With the new rendering, the search icon is rendered on the left side.

The examples below demonstrate the full version of the old and new rendering:

Wrapper Rendering:

<!-- OLD WRAPPER-->
<span class="k-widget k-dropdown">
    <input id="dropdownlist" type="text" class="k-input" placeholder="...">
</span>

<!-- NEW WRAPPER -->
<span class="k-picker k-dropdownlist k-picker-solid k-picker-md k-rounded-md">
    <span class="k-input-inner">
        <span class="k-input-value-text">Patricio Simpson</span>
    </span>
    <button class="k-select k-input-button k-button k-button-md k-rounded-md k-button-solid k-button-solid-base k-icon-button">
        <span class="k-icon k-i-arrow-s k-button-icon"></span>
    </button>
</span>

Popup rendering without virtualization:

<!-- OLD POPUP WITHOUT VIRTUALIZATION-->
<div class="k-list-container k-popup k-group k-reset k-state-border-up" id="products-list" data-role="popup">
    [Header template]
    <div class="k-group-header">Argentina</div>
    <div class="k-list-scroller">
      <ul class="k-list k-reset">
        <li class="k-item">Patricio Simpson</li>
        ...
        <li class="k-item k-first">
            Ann Devon
            <div class="k-group">UK</div>
        </li>
        ...
      </ul>
    </div>
    <div class="k-nodata">
      <div>No Data!</div>
    </div>
    <div class="k-footer">
      [Footer template]
    </div>
</div>

<!-- NEW POPUP NO VIRTUALIZATION -->
<div class="k-popup k-group k-reset">
    <div class="k-list k-list-md">
        <div class="k-list-header">
            [header template]
        </div>
        <div class="k-list-group-sticky-header">Argentina</div>
        <div class="k-list-content k-list-scroller">
            <ul class="k-list-ul">
                <li class="k-list-item">
                    <span class="k-list-item-text">Patricio Simpson</span>
                </li>
                ...
                <li class="k-list-item k-first">
                    <span class="k-list-item-text">Roland Mendel</span>
                    <div class="k-list-item-group-label">Austria</div>
                </li>
                ...
            </ul>
        </div>
        <div class="k-nodata">
            <div>No data found.</div>
        </div>
        <div class="k-list-footer">
            [Footer template]
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

Popup rendering with virtualization:

<!-- OLD POPUP WITH VIRTUALIZATION-->
<div class="k-list-container k-popup k-group k-reset">
    <div>
       [Header template]
    </div>
    <div class="k-virtual-wrap">
        <div class="k-group-header"></div>
        <div class="k-virtual-content">
          <ul class="k-list k-reset k-virtual-list">
            <li class="k-virtual-item k-item">
              Vins et alcools Chevalier
            </li>
            ...
            <li class="k-virtual-item k-item">
              Toms Spezialitäten
            </li>
            ...
          </ul>
          <div class="k-height-container">
            <div style="height: ....;"></div>
          </div>
        </div>
    </div>
    <div class="k-nodata">
        <div>No data found.</div>
    </div>
    <div class="k-footer">
        [Footer template]
    </div>
</div>

<!-- NEW POPUP WITH VIRTUALIZATION-->
<div class="k-popup k-group k-reset">
    <div class="k-list k-list-md k-virtual-list">
        <div class="k-list-header">
            [Header template]
        </div>
        <div class="k-list-group-sticky-header">Argentina</div>
        <div class="k-list-content k-virtual-content">
            <ul class="k-list-ul">
                <li class="k-list-item">
                    <span class="k-list-item-text">
                        Text
                    </span>
                </li>
                ...
                <li class="k-list-item k-first">
                    <span class="k-list-item-text">
                        Ernst Handel, Austria
                    </span>
                    <div class="k-list-item-group-label">Austria</div>
                </li>
                ...
            </ul>
            <div class="k-height-container">
                <div style="height: ...;"></div>
            </div>
        </div>
        <div class="k-nodata">
            <div>No data found.</div>
        </div>
        <div class="k-list-footer">
            [Footer template]
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

Visual Backwards Compatibility

In order to achieve the same look and feel as the old rendering, the element references must be updated. Visit the CSS Classes Migration and JQuery Selectors Migration sections of the Styling Overview article for additional information.

The new styling and rendering support only the default options when you use a LESS theme.

Previously, a reference to the DropDownList input element was obtainable through the k-input class.

$(".k-input") // Returns a reference to the input element in the old rendering.

With the new rendering, the DropDownList input element must be targeted by using the k-input-inner class.

$('.k-dropdownlist .k-input-inner') // Returns a reference to the input element in the new rendering.

Previously, a reference to the dropdown button element was obtainable through the k-select class.

$(".k-select") // Returns a reference to the calendar button element in the old rendering.

With the new rendering, a reference to the dropdown button element is obtainable through the k-button and k-input-button classes.

$(".k-button") // Returns a reference to the calendar button element in the new rendering.
$(".k-input-button") // Returns a reference to the calendar button element in the new rendering.

Previously, a reference to the items in the DropDownList popup was obtainable through the k-item class.

$(".k-item") // Returns a reference to the items rendered in the DropDownList popup.

With the new rendering, the DropDownList item elements must be targeted by using the k-list-item class.

$('.k-list-item') // Returns a reference to the items rendered in the DropDownList popup.

If you are upgrading from a version prior to R1 2022 and you are using custom CSS to override default DropDownList styles, you will need to update the classes used in the selectors of your custom CSS rules. The following example shows how to achieve the same customization in the DropDownList, depending on whether you are using an old product version or a new one.

The first set of CSS rules relies on the classes available in the old rendering.

<style>
/*  Old rendering (versions prior to R1 2022)*/ 

/* Apply lightblue background-color to the items */
.k-popup .k-item {
  background-color: lightblue;
}

/* Apply lightgreen background-color to the selected item */
.k-popup .k-item.k-state-selected {
  background-color: lightgreen;
}

/* Apply yellow background-color to the footer */
.k-popup .k-footer{
  background-color: yellow;
}
</style>

The second set of CSS rules relies on the classes available in the new rendering.

<style>
/*  New Rendering (versions after R1 2022) */   

/* Apply lightblue background-color to the items */
.k-list-item{ 
  background-color: lightblue;
}    

/* Apply lightgreen background-color to the selected item */
.k-popup .k-list-item.k-selected {
  background-color: lightgreen;
}

/* Apply yellow background-color to the footer */
.k-popup .k-list-footer{
  background-color: yellow;
}
</style>

DropDownList Appearance

Options

Size

Rounded

FillMode

Old vs New Rendering

Visual Backwards Compatibility

See Also

Getting Started

Support Resources

Community

Product Bundles

DevCraft

Web

Mobile

Document Management

Desktop

Reporting & Mocking

Automated Testing

CMS

UI/UX Tools

Debugging

Free Tools

Support and Learning

Productivity and Design Tools

Getting Started

Support Resources

Community