# Controlling the Open State

The DropDownList enables you to control the state of its options list.

To set the state of the list:

1. [Configure the initially opened component](https://www.telerik.com/kendo-angular-ui-develop/components/dropdowns/dropdownlist/open-state#setting-the-initially-opened-component)
2. [Prevent the emitted `open` and `close` events](https://www.telerik.com/kendo-angular-ui-develop/components/dropdowns/dropdownlist/open-state#preventing-opening-and-closing)

You can also retrieve the current open state of the options list by using the `isOpen` getter.

## Setting the Initially Opened Component

You can enable the user to manually toggle between the open and close state of the options list by setting the [`toggle`](https://www.telerik.com/kendo-angular-ui-develop/components/dropdowns/api/dropdownlistcomponent#toggle) method. If set to `true`, the method defines that the options list is open. If set to `false`, the method defines that the options list is closed.

The following example demonstrates how to configure an initially opened DropDownList.

[Demo Source](https://demos.telerik.com/kendo-angular-ui/demos/dropdowns/dropdownlist/open_state/source.txt)

## Preventing Opening and Closing

The [`open`](https://www.telerik.com/kendo-angular-ui-develop/components/dropdowns/api/dropdownlistcomponent#open) and [`close`](https://www.telerik.com/kendo-angular-ui-develop/components/dropdowns/api/dropdownlistcomponent#close) events are emitted right before the options list is about to open or close. To prevent the corresponding action, call the `preventDefault` method of the event argument.

The following example demonstrates how to prevent the closing of the options list.

[Demo Source](https://demos.telerik.com/kendo-angular-ui/demos/dropdowns/dropdownlist/open_state/prevent_open_close_events/source.txt)

## Suggested Links

* [API Reference of the DropDownList](https://www.telerik.com/kendo-angular-ui-develop/components/dropdowns/api/dropdownlistcomponent)