Custom Key Handling

Updated on Jun 3, 2026

The Telerik UI for ASP.NET MVC DropDownList wrappers expose the KendoKeydown event, which lets you intercept keyboard input before the built-in handler runs and customize how it responds to specific shortcuts.

For event details and the full list of supported wrappers, refer to Custom Key Handling Overview.

How It Works

When the DropDownList receives keyboard input, the KendoKeydown event fires before the built-in handler.

Use the following configuration to subscribe to the event:

Razor

    .Events(events => events.KendoKeydown("onDropDownListKendoKeydown"))

Overriding a Built-In Key Combination

The following example shows the pattern for overriding a built-in shortcut of the DropDownList. Replace kendo.keys.ENTER with one of the built-in shortcuts that you want to take over.

javascript

    function onDropDownListKendoKeydown(e) {
        if (e.keyCode === kendo.keys.ENTER) {
            e.preventKendoKeydown = true;
            console.log("Built-in shortcut overridden.");
        }
    }

Adding a Custom Key Combination

The following example demonstrates how to add a new Ctrl+Shift+X shortcut for the DropDownList.

javascript

    function onDropDownListKendoKeydown(e) {
        if (e.ctrlKey && e.shiftKey && e.keyCode === 88) {
            console.log("Custom shortcut activated.");
        }
    }

Built-In Keyboard Shortcuts

For the full list of built-in keyboard shortcuts, see the DropDownList Keyboard Navigation Demo and the Keyboard Navigation article.

See Also

• Custom Key Handling Overview
• Keyboard Navigation by the DropDownList for ASP.NET MVC
• Accessibility in the DropDownList HtmlHelper for ASP.NET MVC