Question

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the list box? when should a list box be used? Describe some guidelines for when to use a list box.

Answer 1

Advantages and Disadvantages of the list box:-

Advantages:-

• List boxes do not take up as much space when used with large lists.
• With list boxes, multiple selections can be made.
• List boxes remind users of available options.
• It provides an unlimited number of choices.
• when we click on the input field list box is always visible.

Disadvantages:-

• A large list of items will require scrolling causing items to possibly be missed or unselected by accident.
• The list box consumes more screen space.
• The content may change, making it hard to find items.
• It requires an action of scrolling to see all list choices.
• Requires no more than 40-page downs to search a list.

List box usage:-

1. For selecting values and setting attributes to the input fields.
2. For choices that are mutually exclusive or non-mutually exclusive.
3. The list box is using a logical order to select an item to the input field.
4. List boxes useful to filter data easily and still see what is filtered.
5. The list box only allows the user to select a single item from a list.
6. list box used to display multiple columns and these columns may have images and other controls.

Guidelines to use a list box:-

• Sorting the list items in a logical order by grouping related options, and placing the frequently used items first. sort the names in alphabetical order and sort the numbers in numerical order.
• Enclose meta-options in parentheses because it is not a valid value for the choice rather it indicates that the option itself isn't being used.
• Don't have blank list items that use meta-options instead of. Users don't know how to interpret blank items.
• Avoid horizontal scrolling Multicolumn lists rely on horizontal scrolling, which is generally harder to use than vertical scrolling.
• Consider displaying the number of selected items below the list, it indicates that the list box supports multiple selections.
• Consider and provide the double-click behavior, this helps us to select an item from list default on its own.

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