---
path: components/dropdownlist/usage
title: Usage
position: 2
seo_title: Guidelines for Using the DropDownList Component
seo_description: Get the knack of the Telerik and Kendo UI DropDownList and
  learn how to use and implement the component by following the instructions and
  recommendations in the user guidelines created by our designers.
---
## Usage Guidelines

The Telerik and Kendo UI DropDownList requires you to follow some basic principles when using the component.

### Presented Information

Avoid using the DropDownList for data that is too familiar to users such as the day, month, or year of their birth. It is much easier to type in such data rather than finding the specific values within a long list of options. For such familiar types of data, use an Input component instead.

<DosDonts>
<Do description="Use an Input component when the data is familiar to users.">![A Telerik and Kendo UI Input component for directly typing in the required year.](images/components-dropdownlist-usage-when-not-to-use-do.png "A Telerik and Kendo UI Input component has to be used instead of a DropDownList when the data is familiar to users.")</Do>
<Dont description="Avoid using a large list of options for data than can be easily typed in.">![A Telerik and Kendo UI DropDownList with a long list of years for the user to choose from.](images/components-dropdownlist-usage-when-not-to-use-dont.png "Do not use a Telerik and Kendo UI DropDownList which contains a long list of available options for the user to choose from.")</Dont>
</DosDonts>


### Item Content

Consider the width of the DropDownList and keep the names of its options short and compact so that they fit within the component. Long item names that occupy multiple lines are hard to perceive and must be avoided.

<DosDonts>
<Do description="Keep the description of the DropDownList options as short as possible to improve readability.">![A Telerik and Kendo UI DropDownList containing single-row options whose length elegantly fits the width of the component.](images/components-dropdownlist-usage-options-with-compact-names-do.png "Display short, concise, and succinct descriptions for the items within the Telerik and Kendo UI DropDownList to fit the width of the component on a single row.")</Do>
<Dont description="Avoid using lengthy option descriptions because the text can get truncated and users will find it difficult to read.">![A Telerik and Kendo UI DropDownList rendering long and wordy option descriptions spanning more than a single row.](images/components-dropdownlist-usage-options-with-compact-names-dont.png "Do not use circumstantial and excessively long descriptions of the Telerik and Kendo UI DropDownList options.")</Dont>
</DosDonts>


### Label

The label of the DropDownList provides a clear and concise description of its purpose, making it easier for users to interact with the interface and understand it. Always display a label unless the DropDownList is next to another component which already has a label. The label of the DropDownList can be set as part of the Telerik and Kendo UI Form component.

<DosDonts>
<Do description="Use clear and concise labels that accurately describe the purpose and function of the DropDownList.">![A Telerik and Kendo UI DropDownList with a clear and short label introducing a list of favorite sports.](images/components-dropdownlist-usage-label-do.png "Always use short and clear labels for introducing the purpose and function of the Telerik and Kendo UI DropDownList component.")</Do>
<Dont description="Avoid using the DropDownList without a label as this compromises the intuitiveness of the component, leading to confusion and frustration.">![A Telerik and Kendo UI DropDownList without a label supposedly introducing a list of sports.](images/components-dropdownlist-usage-label-dont.png "Do not use a Telerik and Kendo UI DropDownList with no label to avoid user frustration.")</Dont>
</DosDonts>