# Controlling the Open State

The MultiSelect enables you to control the open and close 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/components/dropdowns/multiselect/open-state#setting-the-initially-opened-component)
2. [Prevent the emitted `open` and `close` events](https://www.telerik.com/kendo-angular-ui/components/dropdowns/multiselect/open-state#preventing-opening-and-closing)

You can also retrieve the current open state of the options list by using the [`isOpen`](https://www.telerik.com/kendo-angular-ui/components/dropdowns/api/multiselectcomponent#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/components/dropdowns/api/multiselectcomponent#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 MultiSelect.

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

## Preventing Opening and Closing

The [`open`](https://www.telerik.com/kendo-angular-ui/components/dropdowns/api/multiselectcomponent#open) and [`close`](https://www.telerik.com/kendo-angular-ui/components/dropdowns/api/multiselectcomponent#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.

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

## Keeping the Options List Open while on Focus

You can configure the MultiSelect to remain open until the user finishes selecting items from its options list. To prevent the options list from closing while it is still on focus, set the [`autoClose`](https://www.telerik.com/kendo-angular-ui/components/dropdowns/api/multiselectcomponent#autoclose) property to `false`. By default, `autoClose` is set to `true`.

> When [`autoClose`](https://www.telerik.com/kendo-angular-ui/components/dropdowns/api/multiselectcomponent#autoclose) is set to `false`, the entered filter text will not be cleared until the component is blurred.

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

## Suggested Links

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