This article is about the computer interface element. For the concept in US tax law, see Check-the-box.
A checkbox (check box, tickbox, tick box) is a graphical widget that allows the user to make a binary choice, i.e. a choice between one of two possible mutually exclusive options. For example, the user may have to answer 'yes' (checked) or 'no' (not checked) on a simple yes/no question.
Sample binary-state checkboxes, with some options disabled
Checkboxes are shown as ☐ when unchecked, or ☑ or ☒ (depending on the graphical user interface) when checked. A caption describing the meaning of the checkbox is normally shown adjacent to the checkbox. Inverting the state of a checkbox is done by clicking the mouse on the box, or the caption, or by using a keyboard shortcut, such as the space bar.
Often, a series of checkboxes is presented, each with a binary choice between two options. The user may then select several of the choices. This is contrasted with the radio button, in which only a single option is selectable from several mutually-exclusive choices.
Checkboxes may be disabled (indicated "greyed out") to inform the user of their existence and possible use despite momentary unavailability.
Some applications use checkboxes that allow an indeterminate state in addition to the two provided by a normal checkbox.[citation needed] This third state is shown as a square or dash in the checkbox, and indicates that its state is neither checked nor unchecked. This is most often used when the checkbox is tied to a collection of items in mixed states. The indeterminate state cannot usually be selected by the user, and switches to a checked state when activated.
For example, a checkbox presented to select files to send via FTP might use a tree view so that files can be selected one at a time, or by folder. If only some of the files in a folder are selected, then the checkbox for that folder would be indeterminate. Clicking on this indeterminate checkbox would select all or, less commonly, none of the contained files. Continuing to click on the checkbox would alternate between checked (all sub-directories and files selected) and unchecked (no sub-directories or files selected).[image needed]
Some tri-state checkbox implementations[citation needed] allow the user to toggle among all states, including the indeterminate state, by remembering the mixed state of the items in the collection. This serves as an undo feature.
Not actionableedit
Setting or clearing a checkbox changes the checkbox's state with no other side-effects. Violating this guideline by associating additional actions with the change of state frequently confuses users, because they are used to configuring data in entry controls such as text boxes, radio buttons, and checkboxes and then invoking an action control such as a push button to initiate the action to process the data.[1][2][clarification needed]
One common exception is to enable or display additional user input elements whose relevance depends on the checkbox state. In other situations toggle switch is typically used instead of a checkbox.
^Nielsen, Jakob (September 2004). . Jakob Nielsen's Alertbox. Archived from the original on August 29, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
^"<input type="checkbox"> - HTML: HyperText Markup Language | MDN". developer.mozilla.org. Mozilla. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
External linksedit
Media related to Check boxes at Wikimedia Commons
February 15, 2024
checkbox, this, article, about, computer, interface, element, concept, check, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find,. This article is about the computer interface element For the concept in US tax law see Check the box This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Checkbox news newspapers books scholar JSTOR November 2010 Learn how and when to remove this template message A checkbox check box tickbox tick box is a graphical widget that allows the user to make a binary choice i e a choice between one of two possible mutually exclusive options For example the user may have to answer yes checked or no not checked on a simple yes no question Sample binary state checkboxes with some options disabledCheckboxes are shown as when unchecked or or depending on the graphical user interface when checked A caption describing the meaning of the checkbox is normally shown adjacent to the checkbox Inverting the state of a checkbox is done by clicking the mouse on the box or the caption or by using a keyboard shortcut such as the space bar Often a series of checkboxes is presented each with a binary choice between two options The user may then select several of the choices This is contrasted with the radio button in which only a single option is selectable from several mutually exclusive choices Checkboxes may be disabled indicated greyed out to inform the user of their existence and possible use despite momentary unavailability Contents 1 Tri state checkbox 2 Not actionable 3 HTML 4 Unicode 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksTri state checkbox edit nbsp Sample tri state checkboxesSome applications use checkboxes that allow an indeterminate state in addition to the two provided by a normal checkbox citation needed This third state is shown as a square or dash in the checkbox and indicates that its state is neither checked nor unchecked This is most often used when the checkbox is tied to a collection of items in mixed states The indeterminate state cannot usually be selected by the user and switches to a checked state when activated For example a checkbox presented to select files to send via FTP might use a tree view so that files can be selected one at a time or by folder If only some of the files in a folder are selected then the checkbox for that folder would be indeterminate Clicking on this indeterminate checkbox would select all or less commonly none of the contained files Continuing to click on the checkbox would alternate between checked all sub directories and files selected and unchecked no sub directories or files selected image needed Some tri state checkbox implementations citation needed allow the user to toggle among all states including the indeterminate state by remembering the mixed state of the items in the collection This serves as an undo feature Not actionable editSetting or clearing a checkbox changes the checkbox s state with no other side effects Violating this guideline by associating additional actions with the change of state frequently confuses users because they are used to configuring data in entry controls such as text boxes radio buttons and checkboxes and then invoking an action control such as a push button to initiate the action to process the data 1 2 clarification needed One common exception is to enable or display additional user input elements whose relevance depends on the checkbox state In other situations toggle switch is typically used instead of a checkbox HTML editIn web forms the HTML element span class p lt span span class nt input span span class na type span span class o span span class s checkbox span span class p gt span is used to display a checkbox 3 Unicode editU 2610 BALLOT BOX U 2611 BALLOT BOX WITH CHECK U 2612 BALLOT BOX WITH XSee also editTick box culture Radio button Toggle switch widget Boolean data typeReferences edit Check Boxes msdn Retrieved February 5 2010 Nielsen Jakob September 2004 Checkboxes vs Radio Buttons Jakob Nielsen s Alertbox Archived from the original on August 29 2012 Retrieved February 5 2010 lt input type checkbox gt HTML HyperText Markup Language MDN developer mozilla org Mozilla 13 June 2023 Retrieved 19 September 2023 External links edit nbsp Media related to Check boxes at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Checkbox amp oldid 1179397855, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
