Writing Accessible Combobox Labels
Writing Accessible Combobox Labels records a distinct W3C APG-supported wording task while keeping implementation mechanics outside the writing guidance.
Name a combobox for the information or choice it controls, keeping that accessible name distinct from the combobox’s current value.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
This page covers combobox-label wording; popup role, autocomplete behavior, focus management, and option navigation remain implementation concerns.
Further guidance
Content
Write the combobox label to identify what the user is choosing or entering; do not make the field name merely echo the current selected or typed value.
Purpose
Keeping the control name separate from its value lets users perceive both what the field is for and the value it currently holds.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Combobox Pattern — WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices Guide (opens in a new tab)World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) · W3C APG guidance that comboboxes have an accessible name distinct from their value.