← Home v1.3.0

Docs / Components / Select & dropdown

Select & dropdown

Style native selects and textareas, or turn any <select> into a searchable dropdown with sub-labels and option groups. About 3 KB of JavaScript, keyboard accessible, no dependencies.

Select & textarea

Add data-ace-select and ace-select.js to a normal <select> and it gets the AceCSS dropdown: a rounded panel, a soft brand tint on the highlighted item, and the current value in bold brand colour. The real <select> stays underneath, so name, required, change events and form submission still work. Arrow keys, Home/End, Enter, Escape and type-ahead all work. Without the script, you get a styled native select. The textarea starts at 80px tall and can be resized vertically.

Choose a pick-up location.

<script src="ace-select.js" defer></script>

<label class="ace-label" for="cat">Category</label>
<select id="cat" name="category" class="ace-select" data-ace-select>
  <option value="">Choose a category…</option>   <!-- empty value = placeholder -->
  <option value="suv">SUV</option>
  <optgroup label="Commercial">
    <option value="van">Van</option>
  </optgroup>
</select>

<!-- Long lists: data-search filters as you type; data-sublabel adds a second line -->
<select id="car" name="vehicle" class="ace-select" data-ace-select data-search>
  <option value="">Search cars…</option>
  <option value="1" data-sublabel="01-234-AB · Diesel · Auto">Volkswagen Golf 8</option>
</select>

// Changed the options or value from code? Re-paint the control:
selectEl.value = 'suv'; selectEl.aceSelect.refresh()
// Markup added after page load (Vue / React / HTMX):
AceSelect.init(container)

<textarea id="notes" class="ace-textarea" rows="4"></textarea>

Use it

One stylesheet and one script from the CDN, pinned to v1.3.0:

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://acecss.dev/v1.3.0/ace.min.css"
      integrity="sha384-zHAwOqjifsc0D+iUvzD1a4W0R2g0BOK9AqQJZGakUEp/Tm5IUcP07R9xkY0q/stj" crossorigin="anonymous">
<script src="https://acecss.dev/v1.3.0/ace-select.min.js" defer
        integrity="sha384-9tcWJ02N3Y9Q7gIqgr3CKRk+yH/lWuBSTDmUS6aAQLjUsSJkDcJrkErHCtfYOTkX" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

Or from npm:

npm i @acecss/core

import '@acecss/core'
import '@acecss/core/select'

Bundlers, Tailwind, every script in one file and self-hosting: Install.

More components

ButtonsCopy-paste CSS buttons with primary, secondary and danger styles, five colours, any brand colour via one variable, four sizes, icon buttons and a loading state. Dark mode built in, no JavaScript.
Hero buttonA sparkle call-to-action button for landing pages: a dark pill that turns brand-coloured on hover, with twinkling stars, a spark line round the edge and particles. No GSAP, respects reduced motion.
NavbarA sticky floating glass navbar: blurred, tinted pill with a sliding hover highlight, a raised shadow on scroll and a mobile menu that unfolds inside the pill. Framework-free, dark mode included.
Liquid navbarA liquid-glass navbar that refracts the real page behind it: a WebGL lens magnifies, bends content in at the rim with a colour fringe, frosts and lights the glass. Drop-in HTML, no framework.
Segmented controlA segmented control for switching views or options: a row of AceCSS buttons with aria-pressed, in three sizes and a full-width variant. Accessible, dark-mode ready, no JavaScript needed for the styles.
InputsAccessible CSS text inputs with labels, hints, required markers and error states, plus inputs with icons, prefixes and suffixes. Works with plain HTML forms and any framework.
Date pickerA dependency-free date picker and pick-up → return date range picker with times, min and max dates, locales and a change event. Dates can be typed or picked. About 5 KB of JavaScript, dark mode ready.
Checkbox, radio & switchStyled native checkboxes, radio buttons and toggle switches in pure CSS: accessible labels, focus rings and dark mode, with no JavaScript.
BadgesStatus badges in pure CSS: neutral, primary, success, warning, danger and info, in two sizes, with contrast checked for white text.
Choice cardsSelectable cards for plans, extras or options: built on AceCSS buttons, selected with a class, aria-pressed or a checked radio inside. Pure CSS, accessible, dark mode ready.