Sneak Peek! CoreUI 3 is coming! Please try the latest version - CoreUI PRO 3.0.0-alpha.. Try CoreUI PRO 3.0.0-alpha

Bootstrap dropdowns

Bootstrap dropdown component allows you to toggle contextual overlays for displaying lists, links, and more html elements.

Overview

Dropdowns are toggleable, contextual overlays for displaying lists of links and more. They’re made interactive with the included Bootstrap dropdown JavaScript plugin. They’re toggled by clicking, not by hovering.

Examples

Bind the dropdown’s toggle and the dropdown menu inside .dropdown, or different element that declares position: relative;. Dropdowns can be triggered from <a> or <button> elements to better fit your possible requirements.

Single button

Each single .btn can be changed into a dropdown toggle with small changes. Here’s how you can put them to work with either <button> elements:

<div class="dropdown">
  <button class="btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle" type="button" id="dropdownMenu" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    Dropdown button
  </button>
  <div class="dropdown-menu" aria-labelledby="dropdownMenu">
    <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Item</a>
    <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Another item</a>
    <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">One more item</a>
  </div>
</div>

And with <a> elements:

<div class="dropdown">
  <a class="btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle" href="#" role="button" id="dropdownMenuLink" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    Dropdown link
  </a>
  <div class="dropdown-menu" aria-labelledby="dropdownMenuLink">
    <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Item</a>
    <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Another item</a>
    <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">One more item</a>
  </div>
</div>

You can achive this with any button variant, too:

<!-- Example single danger button -->
<div class="btn-group">
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-danger dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    Action
  </button>
  <div class="dropdown-menu">
    <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Item</a>
    <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Another item</a>
    <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">One more item</a>
    <div class="dropdown-divider"></div>
    <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Separated item</a>
  </div>
</div>

Split button

Similarly, create split button dropdowns with virtually the same markup as single button dropdowns, but with the addition of .dropdown-toggle-split for proper spacing around the dropdown caret.

We use this extra class to reduce the horizontal padding on either side of the caret by 25% and remove the margin-left that’s attached for normal button dropdowns. Those additional changes hold the caret centered in the split button and implement a more properly sized hit area next to the main button.

<!-- Example split danger button -->
<div class="btn-group">
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-danger">Action</button>
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-danger dropdown-toggle dropdown-toggle-split" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    <span class="sr-only">Toggle Dropdown</span>
  </button>
  <div class="dropdown-menu">
    <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Item</a>
    <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Another item</a>
    <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">One more item</a>
    <div class="dropdown-divider"></div>
    <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Separated item</a>
  </div>
</div>

Sizing

Button dropdowns work with buttons of all sizes, including default and split dropdown buttons.

<!-- Large button groups (default and split) -->
<div class="btn-group">
  <button class="btn btn-secondary btn-lg dropdown-toggle" type="button" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    Large button
  </button>
  <div class="dropdown-menu">
    ...
  </div>
</div>
<div class="btn-group">
  <button class="btn btn-secondary btn-lg" type="button">
    Large split button
  </button>
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-lg btn-secondary dropdown-toggle dropdown-toggle-split" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    <span class="sr-only">Toggle Dropdown</span>
  </button>
  <div class="dropdown-menu">
    ...
  </div>
</div>

<!-- Small button groups (default and split) -->
<div class="btn-group">
  <button class="btn btn-secondary btn-sm dropdown-toggle" type="button" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    Small button
  </button>
  <div class="dropdown-menu">
    ...
  </div>
</div>
<div class="btn-group">
  <button class="btn btn-secondary btn-sm" type="button">
    Small split button
  </button>
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-sm btn-secondary dropdown-toggle dropdown-toggle-split" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    <span class="sr-only">Toggle Dropdown</span>
  </button>
  <div class="dropdown-menu">
    ...
  </div>
</div>

Directions

Dropup

Trigger dropdown menus above elements by adding .dropup to the parent element.

<!-- Default dropup button -->
<div class="btn-group dropup">
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    Dropup
  </button>
  <div class="dropdown-menu">
    <!-- Dropdown menu links -->
  </div>
</div>

<!-- Split dropup button -->
<div class="btn-group dropup">
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary">
    Split dropup
  </button>
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle dropdown-toggle-split" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    <span class="sr-only">Toggle Dropdown</span>
  </button>
  <div class="dropdown-menu">
    <!-- Dropdown menu links -->
  </div>
</div>

Dropright

Trigger dropdown menus at the right of the elements by adding .dropright to the parent element.

<!-- Default dropright button -->
<div class="btn-group dropright">
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    Dropright
  </button>
  <div class="dropdown-menu">
    <!-- Dropdown menu links -->
  </div>
</div>

<!-- Split dropright button -->
<div class="btn-group dropright">
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary">
    Split dropright
  </button>
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle dropdown-toggle-split" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    <span class="sr-only">Toggle Dropright</span>
  </button>
  <div class="dropdown-menu">
    <!-- Dropdown menu links -->
  </div>
</div>

Dropleft

Trigger dropdown menus at the left of the elements by adding .dropleft to the parent element.

<!-- Default dropleft button -->
<div class="btn-group dropleft">
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    Dropleft
  </button>
  <div class="dropdown-menu">
    <!-- Dropdown menu links -->
  </div>
</div>

<!-- Split dropleft button -->
<div class="btn-group">
  <div class="btn-group dropleft" role="group">
    <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle dropdown-toggle-split" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
      <span class="sr-only">Toggle Dropleft</span>
    </button>
    <div class="dropdown-menu">
      <!-- Dropdown menu links -->
    </div>
  </div>
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary">
    Split dropleft
  </button>
</div>

Historically dropdown menu contents had to be linked, but that’s no longer the case with v4. Now you can optionally use <button> elements in your dropdowns instead of just <a>s.

<div class="dropdown">
  <button class="btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle" type="button" id="dropdownMenu2" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    Dropdown
  </button>
  <div class="dropdown-menu" aria-labelledby="dropdownMenu2">
    <button class="dropdown-item" type="button">Action</button>
    <button class="dropdown-item" type="button">Another action</button>
    <button class="dropdown-item" type="button">Something else here</button>
  </div>
</div>

You can also create non-interactive dropdown items with .dropdown-item-text. Feel free to style further with custom CSS or text utilities.

<div class="dropdown-menu">
  <span class="dropdown-item-text">Dropdown item text</span>
  <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Item</a>
  <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Another item</a>
  <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">One more item</a>
</div>

Active

Add .active to items in the dropdown to style them as active.

<div class="dropdown-menu">
  <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Regular link</a>
  <a class="dropdown-item active" href="#">Active link</a>
  <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Another link</a>
</div>

Disabled

Add .disabled to items in the dropdown to style them as disabled.

<div class="dropdown-menu">
  <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Regular link</a>
  <a class="dropdown-item disabled" href="#">Disabled link</a>
  <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Another link</a>
</div>

By default, a dropdown menu is automatically positioned 100% from the top and along the left side of its parent. Add .dropdown-menu-right to a .dropdown-menu to right align the dropdown menu.

Heads up! Dropdowns are positioned thanks to Popper.js (except when they are contained in a navbar).

<div class="btn-group">
  <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    Right-aligned menu
  </button>
  <div class="dropdown-menu dropdown-menu-right">
    <button class="dropdown-item" type="button">Action</button>
    <button class="dropdown-item" type="button">Another action</button>
    <button class="dropdown-item" type="button">Something else here</button>
  </div>
</div>

Headers

Add a header to label sections of actions in any dropdown menu.

<div class="dropdown-menu">
  <h6 class="dropdown-header">Dropdown header</h6>
  <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Item</a>
  <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Another item</a>
</div>

Dividers

Separate groups of related menu items with a divider.

<div class="dropdown-menu">
  <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Item</a>
  <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Another item</a>
  <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">One more item</a>
  <div class="dropdown-divider"></div>
  <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Separated item</a>
</div>

Text

Place any freeform text within a dropdown menu with text and use spacing utilities. Note that you’ll likely need additional sizing styles to constrain the menu width.

<div class="dropdown-menu p-4 text-muted" style="max-width: 200px;">
  <p>
    Some example text that's free-flowing within the dropdown menu.
  </p>
  <p class="mb-0">
    And this is more example text.
  </p>
</div>

Forms

Put a form within a dropdown menu, or make it into a dropdown menu, and use margin or padding utilities to give it the negative space you require.

<div class="dropdown-menu">
  <form class="px-4 py-3">
    <div class="form-group">
      <label for="exampleDropdownFormEmail1">Email address</label>
      <input type="email" class="form-control" id="exampleDropdownFormEmail1" placeholder="[email protected]">
    </div>
    <div class="form-group">
      <label for="exampleDropdownFormPassword1">Password</label>
      <input type="password" class="form-control" id="exampleDropdownFormPassword1" placeholder="Password">
    </div>
    <div class="form-check">
      <input type="checkbox" class="form-check-input" id="dropdownCheck">
      <label class="form-check-label" for="dropdownCheck">
        Remember me
      </label>
    </div>
    <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary">Sign in</button>
  </form>
  <div class="dropdown-divider"></div>
  <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">New around here? Sign up</a>
  <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Forgot password?</a>
</div>

<form class="dropdown-menu p-4">
  <div class="form-group">
    <label for="exampleDropdownFormEmail2">Email address</label>
    <input type="email" class="form-control" id="exampleDropdownFormEmail2" placeholder="[email protected]">
  </div>
  <div class="form-group">
    <label for="exampleDropdownFormPassword2">Password</label>
    <input type="password" class="form-control" id="exampleDropdownFormPassword2" placeholder="Password">
  </div>
  <div class="form-check">
    <input type="checkbox" class="form-check-input" id="dropdownCheck2">
    <label class="form-check-label" for="dropdownCheck2">
      Remember me
    </label>
  </div>
  <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary">Sign in</button>
</form>

Use data-offset or data-reference to change the location of the dropdown.

<div class="d-flex">
  <div class="dropdown mr-1">
    <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle" id="dropdownMenuOffset" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" data-offset="10,20">
      Offset
    </button>
    <div class="dropdown-menu" aria-labelledby="dropdownMenuOffset">
      <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Item</a>
      <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Another item</a>
      <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">One more item</a>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="btn-group">
    <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary">Reference</button>
    <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle dropdown-toggle-split" id="dropdownMenuReference" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" data-reference="parent">
      <span class="sr-only">Toggle Dropdown</span>
    </button>
    <div class="dropdown-menu" aria-labelledby="dropdownMenuReference">
      <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Item</a>
      <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Another item</a>
      <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">One more item</a>
      <div class="dropdown-divider"></div>
      <a class="dropdown-item" href="#">Separated item</a>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

Usage

Via data attributes or JavaScript, the dropdown plugin toggles hidden content (dropdown menus) by toggling the .show class on the parent list item. The data-toggle="dropdown" attribute is relied on for closing dropdown menus at an application level, so it’s a good idea to always use it.

On touch-enabled devices, opening a dropdown adds empty ($.noop) mouseover handlers to the immediate children of the <body> element. This admittedly ugly hack is necessary to work around a quirk in iOS’ event delegation, which would otherwise prevent a tap anywhere outside of the dropdown from triggering the code that closes the dropdown. Once the dropdown is closed, these additional empty mouseover handlers are removed.

Via data attributes

Add data-toggle="dropdown" to a link or button to toggle a dropdown.

<div class="dropdown">
  <button id="dLabel" type="button" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
    Dropdown trigger
  </button>
  <div class="dropdown-menu" aria-labelledby="dLabel">
    ...
  </div>
</div>

Via JavaScript

Call the dropdowns via JavaScript:

$('.dropdown-toggle').dropdown()

`data-toggle="dropdown"` still required

Regardless of whether you call your dropdown via JavaScript or use the data-api, data-toggle="dropdown" is always needed to be present on the dropdown’s trigger element.

Options

Options can be transferred via data attributes or JavaScript. For data properties, add the option name to data-, as in data-offset="".

Name	Type	Default	Description
offset	number \| string \| function	0	Offset of the dropdown relative to its target. For more information refer to Popper.js's offset docs.
flip	boolean	true	Allow Dropdown to flip in case of an overlapping on the reference element. For more information refer to Popper.js's flip docs.
boundary	string \| element	'scrollParent'	Overflow constraint boundary of the dropdown menu. Accepts the values of `'viewport'`, `'window'`, `'scrollParent'`, or an HTMLElement reference (JavaScript only). For more information refer to Popper.js's preventOverflow docs.
reference	string \| element	'toggle'	Reference element of the dropdown menu. Accepts the values of `'toggle'`, `'parent'`, or an HTMLElement reference. For more information refer to Popper.js's referenceObject docs.
display	string	dynamic \| static	By default, we use Popper.js for dynamic positioning. Disable this with `static`.

Note when boundary is set to any value other than 'scrollParent', the style position: static is applied to the .dropdown container.

Methods

Method	Description
`$().dropdown('toggle')`	Toggles the dropdown menu of a given navbar or tabbed navigation.
`$().dropdown('update')`	Updates the position of an element’s dropdown.
`$().dropdown('dispose')`	Destroys an element’s dropdown.

Events

All dropdown events are fired at the .dropdown-menu’s parent element and have a relatedTarget property, whose value is the toggling anchor element.

Event	Description
`show.bs.dropdown`	This event fires immediately when the show instance method is called.
`shown.bs.dropdown`	This event is fired when the dropdown has been made visible to the user (will wait for CSS transitions, to complete).
`hide.bs.dropdown`	This event is fired immediately when the hide instance method has been called.
`hidden.bs.dropdown`	This event is fired when the dropdown has finished being hidden from the user (will wait for CSS transitions, to complete).

$('#myDropdown').on('show.bs.dropdown', function () {
  // do something…
})

Bootstrap dropdowns

Overview

Examples

Single button

Split button

Sizing

Directions

Dropup

Dropright

Dropleft

Menu items

Active

Disabled

Menu alignment

Menu content

Headers

Dividers

Text

Forms

Usage

Via data attributes

Via JavaScript

`data-toggle="dropdown"` still required

Options

Methods

Events

Bootstrap dropdowns

Overview

Examples

Single button

Split button

Sizing

Directions

Dropup

Dropright

Dropleft

Menu items

Active

Disabled

Menu alignment

Menu content

Headers

Dropdown header

Dividers

Text

Forms

Dropdown options

Usage

Via data attributes

Via JavaScript

data-toggle="dropdown" still required

Options

Methods

Events

`data-toggle="dropdown"` still required