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Components Button menu

The button menu is a versatile component that allows users to view tasks as buttons in a collapsible menu.

Open this example (Button menu (example)) in a new window 
<div class="moj-button-menu" data-module="moj-button-menu" data-button-text="Menu title">

  <button type="submit" class="govuk-button moj-button-menu__item govuk-button--secondary" data-module="govuk-button">
    Menu item 1
  </button>

  <button type="submit" class="govuk-button moj-button-menu__item govuk-button--secondary" data-module="govuk-button">
    Menu item 2
  </button>

  <button type="submit" class="govuk-button moj-button-menu__item govuk-button--secondary" data-module="govuk-button">
    Menu item 3
  </button>

</div>
Nunjucks macro options

Container

Name Type Required Description
items Array Yes An array of button item objects. See items.
button Object No Properties of the menu title button. See button.
attributes Object No HTML attributes (for example data attributes) to add to the button menu container.

Button

Name Type Required Description
text String Yes Text for the menu title button.
classes String No Classes to add to the menu title button.

Items

See the button component in the GOV.UK Design System for more details.

Name Type Required Description
element String No Whether to use a button or a element to create the button. In most cases you will not need to set this as it will be configured automatically if you use href or html.
text String Yes If html is set, this is not required. Text for the button or link. If html is provided, the text argument will be ignored and element will be automatically set to button unless href is also set, or it has already been defined.
html String Yes If text is set, this is not required. HTML for the button or link. If html is provided, the text argument will be ignored and element will be automatically set to button unless href is also set, or it has already been defined.
name String Yes Name for the button. This has no effect on a elements.
type String Yes Type of button. The options are button, submit or reset. This will always be button in the button menu component. This has no effect on a elements.
value String Yes Value for the button tag. This has no effect on a elements.
disabled Boolean No Whether the button should be disabled. For button elements, disabled and aria-disabled attributes will be set automatically.
href String No The URL that the button should link to. If this is set, element will be automatically set to a if it has not already been defined. The a tag will be given the role of button.
classes String No Classes to add to the button component.
attributes Object No HTML attributes (for example data attributes) to add to the button.
preventDoubleClick Boolean No Prevent accidental double clicks on submit buttons from submitting forms multiple times.

Warning: If you’re using Nunjucks macros in production be aware that using HTML arguments, or ones ending with .html can be at risk from cross-site scripting attacks. More information about security vulnerabilities can be found in the Nunjucks documentation.

{%- from "moj/components/button-menu/macro.njk" import mojButtonMenu -%}
{{ mojButtonMenu({
    "button": {
        "text": "Menu title"
    },
    "items": [
        {
            "text": "Menu item 1"
        },
        {
            "text": "Menu item 2"
        },
        {
            "text": "Menu item 3"
        }
    ]
}) }}

This component is in the ‘Assets’ tab in the MoJ Figma Kit.

If you’re external to MoJ, download the Kit and add it as a library to your Figma files. You’ll need to re-add the kit to update the version.

View component in MoJ Figma Kit

Overview

Use the button menu to display multiple actions to a user. They open it with the menu title button.

When to use

To show multiple tasks to users, start with the GOV.UK Design System button group. This helps users to find what they need.

Consider the MoJ Design System button menu instead if the buttons:

  • have long titles or there’s a lack of space to display them, for example in a complex interface
  • are variations on a theme, for example ‘Print options’
  • are for fairly unrelated tasks, for example ‘Actions’
  • are lower priority and do not need visual prominence
  • need to change in number, for example with new functionality or according to permissions

When not to use

Do not use the button menu:

  • as navigation or to link to a page for the sole purpose of viewing it, for example a booking (this is an accessibility issue and counts as a WCAG failure)
  • for items in a GOV.UK Design System summary list - add link text to each row
  • to display options like on a GOV.UK Design System question page - list them as bullets
  • for warning or inactive (disabled) buttons

Things to consider

When deciding on the menu length consider that:

  • without JavaScript, all the menu items will appear as a row
  • very long button menus can be a sign that the page needs to be simplified or the journey split over multiple pages

Similar or linked components

There’s also the:

How to use

Position on the page

Place the button menu near the heading that the tasks relate to. If you want to add it next to a heading, put it in the same container. To add it to an H1 use the page header actions component.

For tabbed content, adding it within the tabs may help users to understand:

  • what the menu items relate to
  • if (and how) the menu items change when the user moves between tabs

You can place it on the left or right. Match the alignment of the buttons with the menu: place them on the left of a left-aligned menu, and on the right of a right-aligned menu.

Screen magnification users may not find a right-aligned menu if:

  • content is spread all over the page
  • there’s a lot of whitespace around the menu
  • the button menu is a long way from the heading

Placing the menu on the right may stop it from obscuring other items on the screen, such as a case list or side navigation.

Left-aligned menu items

Open this example (Button menu (example)) in a new window 
<div class="moj-button-menu" data-module="moj-button-menu" data-button-text="Review" data-button-classes="govuk-button--secondary">

  <a href="#" role="button" draggable="false" class="govuk-button moj-button-menu__item govuk-button--secondary" data-module="govuk-button">
    Approve
  </a>

  <a href="#" role="button" draggable="false" class="govuk-button moj-button-menu__item govuk-button--secondary" data-module="govuk-button">
    Request more information
  </a>

  <a href="#" role="button" draggable="false" class="govuk-button moj-button-menu__item govuk-button--secondary" data-module="govuk-button">
    Reject with reason
  </a>

</div>
Nunjucks macro options

Container

Name Type Required Description
items Array Yes An array of button item objects. See items.
button Object No Properties of the menu title button. See button.
attributes Object No HTML attributes (for example data attributes) to add to the button menu container.

Button

Name Type Required Description
text String Yes Text for the menu title button.
classes String No Classes to add to the menu title button.

Items

See the button component in the GOV.UK Design System for more details.

Name Type Required Description
element String No Whether to use a button or a element to create the button. In most cases you will not need to set this as it will be configured automatically if you use href or html.
text String Yes If html is set, this is not required. Text for the button or link. If html is provided, the text argument will be ignored and element will be automatically set to button unless href is also set, or it has already been defined.
html String Yes If text is set, this is not required. HTML for the button or link. If html is provided, the text argument will be ignored and element will be automatically set to button unless href is also set, or it has already been defined.
name String Yes Name for the button. This has no effect on a elements.
type String Yes Type of button. The options are button, submit or reset. This will always be button in the button menu component. This has no effect on a elements.
value String Yes Value for the button tag. This has no effect on a elements.
disabled Boolean No Whether the button should be disabled. For button elements, disabled and aria-disabled attributes will be set automatically.
href String No The URL that the button should link to. If this is set, element will be automatically set to a if it has not already been defined. The a tag will be given the role of button.
classes String No Classes to add to the button component.
attributes Object No HTML attributes (for example data attributes) to add to the button.
preventDoubleClick Boolean No Prevent accidental double clicks on submit buttons from submitting forms multiple times.

Warning: If you’re using Nunjucks macros in production be aware that using HTML arguments, or ones ending with .html can be at risk from cross-site scripting attacks. More information about security vulnerabilities can be found in the Nunjucks documentation.

{%- from "moj/components/button-menu/macro.njk" import mojButtonMenu -%}
{{ mojButtonMenu({
    "button": {
        "text": "Review",
        "classes": "govuk-button--secondary"
    },
    "items": [
        {
            "text": "Approve",
            "href": "#"
        },
        {
            "text": "Request more information",
            "href": "#"
        },
        {
            "text": "Reject with reason",
            "href": "#"
        }
    ]
}) }}

This component is in the ‘Assets’ tab in the MoJ Figma Kit.

If you’re external to MoJ, download the Kit and add it as a library to your Figma files. You’ll need to re-add the kit to update the version.

View component in MoJ Figma Kit

Right-aligned menu items

Open this example (Button menu (example)) in a new window 
<div class="moj-button-menu" data-module="moj-button-menu" data-button-text="Review" data-button-classes="govuk-button--secondary" data-align-menu="right">

  <a href="#" role="button" draggable="false" class="govuk-button moj-button-menu__item govuk-button--secondary" data-module="govuk-button">
    Approve
  </a>

  <a href="#" role="button" draggable="false" class="govuk-button moj-button-menu__item govuk-button--secondary" data-module="govuk-button">
    Request more information
  </a>

  <a href="#" role="button" draggable="false" class="govuk-button moj-button-menu__item govuk-button--secondary" data-module="govuk-button">
    Reject with reason
  </a>

</div>
Nunjucks macro options

Container

Name Type Required Description
items Array Yes An array of button item objects. See items.
button Object No Properties of the menu title button. See button.
attributes Object No HTML attributes (for example data attributes) to add to the button menu container.

Button

Name Type Required Description
text String Yes Text for the menu title button.
classes String No Classes to add to the menu title button.

Items

See the button component in the GOV.UK Design System for more details.

Name Type Required Description
element String No Whether to use a button or a element to create the button. In most cases you will not need to set this as it will be configured automatically if you use href or html.
text String Yes If html is set, this is not required. Text for the button or link. If html is provided, the text argument will be ignored and element will be automatically set to button unless href is also set, or it has already been defined.
html String Yes If text is set, this is not required. HTML for the button or link. If html is provided, the text argument will be ignored and element will be automatically set to button unless href is also set, or it has already been defined.
name String Yes Name for the button. This has no effect on a elements.
type String Yes Type of button. The options are button, submit or reset. This will always be button in the button menu component. This has no effect on a elements.
value String Yes Value for the button tag. This has no effect on a elements.
disabled Boolean No Whether the button should be disabled. For button elements, disabled and aria-disabled attributes will be set automatically.
href String No The URL that the button should link to. If this is set, element will be automatically set to a if it has not already been defined. The a tag will be given the role of button.
classes String No Classes to add to the button component.
attributes Object No HTML attributes (for example data attributes) to add to the button.
preventDoubleClick Boolean No Prevent accidental double clicks on submit buttons from submitting forms multiple times.

Warning: If you’re using Nunjucks macros in production be aware that using HTML arguments, or ones ending with .html can be at risk from cross-site scripting attacks. More information about security vulnerabilities can be found in the Nunjucks documentation.

{%- from "moj/components/button-menu/macro.njk" import mojButtonMenu -%}
{{ mojButtonMenu({
    "button": {
        "text": "Review",
        "classes": "govuk-button--secondary"
    },
    "alignMenu": "right",
    "items": [
        {
            "text": "Approve",
            "href": "#"
        },
        {
            "text": "Request more information",
            "href": "#"
        },
        {
            "text": "Reject with reason",
            "href": "#"
        }
    ]
}) }}

This component is in the ‘Assets’ tab in the MoJ Figma Kit.

If you’re external to MoJ, download the Kit and add it as a library to your Figma files. You’ll need to re-add the kit to update the version.

View component in MoJ Figma Kit

Grouping buttons

You can add a button menu alongside a link or GOV.UK button. This code has correct spacing and creates a better user experience for people on mobile devices.

Open this example (Button menu grouped (example)) in a new window 
<div class="moj-button-group moj-button-group--inline">

  <button type="submit" class="govuk-button" data-module="govuk-button">
    Accept booking
  </button>

  <div class="moj-button-menu" data-module="moj-button-menu" data-button-text="Review booking" data-button-classes="govuk-button--secondary">

    <a href="#" role="button" draggable="false" class="govuk-button moj-button-menu__item govuk-button--secondary" data-module="govuk-button">
      Cancel
    </a>

    <a href="#" role="button" draggable="false" class="govuk-button moj-button-menu__item govuk-button--secondary" data-module="govuk-button">
      Put on hold
    </a>

    <a href="#" role="button" draggable="false" class="govuk-button moj-button-menu__item govuk-button--secondary" data-module="govuk-button">
      Request more information
    </a>

  </div>

</div>
Nunjucks macro options

Container

Name Type Required Description
items Array Yes An array of button item objects. See items.
button Object No Properties of the menu title button. See button.
attributes Object No HTML attributes (for example data attributes) to add to the button menu container.

Button

Name Type Required Description
text String Yes Text for the menu title button.
classes String No Classes to add to the menu title button.

Items

See the button component in the GOV.UK Design System for more details.

Name Type Required Description
element String No Whether to use a button or a element to create the button. In most cases you will not need to set this as it will be configured automatically if you use href or html.
text String Yes If html is set, this is not required. Text for the button or link. If html is provided, the text argument will be ignored and element will be automatically set to button unless href is also set, or it has already been defined.
html String Yes If text is set, this is not required. HTML for the button or link. If html is provided, the text argument will be ignored and element will be automatically set to button unless href is also set, or it has already been defined.
name String Yes Name for the button. This has no effect on a elements.
type String Yes Type of button. The options are button, submit or reset. This will always be button in the button menu component. This has no effect on a elements.
value String Yes Value for the button tag. This has no effect on a elements.
disabled Boolean No Whether the button should be disabled. For button elements, disabled and aria-disabled attributes will be set automatically.
href String No The URL that the button should link to. If this is set, element will be automatically set to a if it has not already been defined. The a tag will be given the role of button.
classes String No Classes to add to the button component.
attributes Object No HTML attributes (for example data attributes) to add to the button.
preventDoubleClick Boolean No Prevent accidental double clicks on submit buttons from submitting forms multiple times.

Warning: If you’re using Nunjucks macros in production be aware that using HTML arguments, or ones ending with .html can be at risk from cross-site scripting attacks. More information about security vulnerabilities can be found in the Nunjucks documentation.

{%- from "govuk/components/button/macro.njk" import govukButton %}
{%- from "moj/components/button-menu/macro.njk" import mojButtonMenu -%}
<div class="moj-button-group moj-button-group--inline">
    {{ govukButton({"text": "Accept booking"}) }}
    {{ mojButtonMenu({
        "button": {
            "text": "Review booking",
            "classes": "govuk-button--secondary"
        },
        "items": [
            {
                "text": "Cancel",
                "href": "#"
            },
            {
                "text": "Put on hold",
                "href": "#"
            },
            {
                "text": "Request more information",
                "href": "#"
            }
        ]
    }) }}
</div>

This component is in the ‘Assets’ tab in the MoJ Figma Kit.

If you’re external to MoJ, download the Kit and add it as a library to your Figma files. You’ll need to re-add the kit to update the version.

View component in MoJ Figma Kit

Button colour

All the menu items are grey. The colour of the menu title button follows the GOV.UK Design System guidance on button colours. It's set to green (the default button colour) but you can change it.

Keep it green:

  • if the user’s primary task on a page is to use the button menu
  • to give it more visual prominence

Make it grey if:

  • the menu items are less common tasks
  • there’s already a green button on the screen

Colour on a dark background

Follow the GOV.UK Design System guidance on buttons on dark backgrounds.

Button content

Labelling the button menu accurately helps users to identify its contents. Group similar items together. Consider:

  • ‘Print options’ or ‘Save options’ for variations on a theme
  • ‘Actions’ to cover a diverse range of tasks

Users may believe that menu buttons with the same title (particularly generic titles like ‘Actions’) contain the same items.

Content can run into a second line.

Examples

Within a case management system

The location of the buttons helps users to know what the tasks relate to.

An example of a button menu used next to a GOV.UK default button on a Ministry of Justice webpage. The grey button menu is to the right of the green GOV.UK button. Both are to the right of an H2 called 'Case management'. This is all below an H1 called 'Tom Smith'. The green button reads 'Record review' and the button menu has 'Print options' as a title, and contains the items: Print case, Print review, Print investigation and Print referral.

Within the multi select component

Adding a button menu to the multi select component helps users complete common tasks quickly, for example assigning cases.

An example of a button menu and GOV.UK default button on a Ministry of Justice webpage. The grey button menu is to the right of the green button. This is next to the H2 title 'Case management'. Both are below the H1 title 'Case management'. The title of the green button is 'Record review' and the button menu is 'Print options', which contains: Print case, Print review, Print investigation and Print referral.

Get help and contribute

Get help

You can contact the MoJ Design System team for help or support using this component.

Help improve this component

The MoJ Design System team would like to hear:

  • how you have used this component in your service
  • any feedback you have about its usage, for example accessibility or ideas for improvement

Add these comments to the button menu discussion on Github.

Contributors

Thanks to Stephen Robertson, Rich Cooley, Al Laing, Jo Dimbleby, Dave Evans, Jim Bailey, Thomas Geraghty and Andy Keen for giving feedback on this component.