> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://filla.io/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Select fields

> Single select and multiple select fields with dropdown or radio/checkbox display styles.

## Overview

Filla supports both Airtable select field types:

| Airtable field type  | Form input options        | Best for                        |
| -------------------- | ------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| **Single select**    | Dropdown or Radio buttons | Choosing one option from a list |
| **Multiple selects** | Dropdown or Checkboxes    | Choosing one or more options    |

The options shown in the form are pulled directly from your Airtable field. You manage the option list in Airtable, not in Filla.

## Single select settings

| Setting                    | Description                                                                                                  |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Placeholder text**       | Hint text shown when no option is selected.                                                                  |
| **Display style**          | Dropdown or Radio buttons. Radio buttons show all options at once without requiring a click to open.         |
| **Randomize option order** | Shuffle options for each respondent to reduce selection bias.                                                |
| **Allow "Other" option**   | Add a free-text "Other" option at the bottom of the list. Respondents who select it can type a custom value. |
| **"Other" option label**   | Custom label for the Other option (default: "Other").                                                        |

**Universal settings that also apply:** Label, description, required, read-only, show/hide rules, conditional read-only, reject duplicates, custom validation rules.

## Multiple selects settings

| Setting                    | Description                                                                    |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Placeholder text**       | Hint text shown when no option is selected.                                    |
| **Display style**          | Dropdown or Checkboxes. Checkboxes show all options at once.                   |
| **Randomize option order** | Shuffle options for each respondent.                                           |
| **Allow "Other" option**   | Add a free-text Other option.                                                  |
| **"Other" option label**   | Custom label for the Other option.                                             |
| **Maximum selections**     | Maximum number of options the respondent can select. Leave empty for no limit. |

**Universal settings that also apply:** Label, description, required, read-only, show/hide rules, conditional read-only, custom validation rules.

## Choosing a display style

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Dropdown vs Radio">
    **Use a dropdown when:**

    * You have more than 5-6 options
    * Space is limited
    * Respondents are familiar with dropdowns

    **Use radio buttons when:**

    * You have 2-5 options
    * You want all choices visible without interaction
    * Comparing options is important to the decision
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Dropdown vs Checkboxes">
    **Use a dropdown when:**

    * You have many options
    * You want a compact layout

    **Use checkboxes when:**

    * You have 2-8 options
    * You want respondents to see and compare all choices at once
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## The "Other" option

When **Allow "Other" option** is enabled, a custom text entry appears at the bottom of the option list. The respondent selects "Other" and types their own value. That custom value is saved to Airtable alongside the standard options.

<Note>
  The custom value from "Other" is stored as a new option in the select field. Airtable will show it as a new option color in your table. Manage your option list in Airtable to keep it clean.
</Note>

## Randomizing options

Enable **Randomize option order** to shuffle the order each time the form loads. This is useful for surveys where you want to reduce order bias, since the first option in a list tends to get more selections.

## Styling

Select fields respect your form's accent color. When you set a custom accent color in the form theme:

* **Radio card and checkbox card borders** highlight with the accent color when selected
* **Dropdown selected items** use a tinted accent background
* **Multi-select badges** (in dropdown mode) use the accent color when options don't have Airtable colors assigned
* **Radio and checkbox indicators** (the dot or checkmark) use the accent color

If your Airtable options have colors assigned, those colors are used for the option badges in dropdown mode. The accent color applies to options without Airtable colors.

## Common questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I add or remove options?">
    Options are managed in Airtable. Open your base, click the field, and edit the option list. Filla reads the options automatically. Click the refresh icon in the field palette to sync the latest options.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use conditional logic based on a select field?">
    Yes. Select fields are one of the most common targets for conditional logic. Use them in show/hide rules with operators like "has any of", "has all of", or "has none of". See [Display conditions](/docs/logic/display-conditions).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if the maximum selections limit is reached?">
    Once a respondent selects the maximum number of options, remaining checkboxes or dropdown items are disabled. An error message appears if they try to select more.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>