---
title: "Select Field"
aliases: [select-field, multi-select, dropdown-field]
tags: [payloadcms, fields, select, enum, dropdown]
sources: [raw/fields__select.md]
created: 2026-05-15
updated: 2026-05-15
---

Dropdown-style field storing one or many values from a predefined list. Backed by a database enum (Postgres) or string field.

## Basic Config

```ts
import type { Field } from 'payload'

export const MySelectField: Field = {
  name: 'status',
  type: 'select',
  options: [
    { label: 'Draft',     value: 'draft' },
    { label: 'Published', value: 'published' },
    { label: 'Archived',  value: 'archived' },
  ],
}
```

## Config Options

| Option | Required | Description |
|--------|----------|-------------|
| `name` | ✓ | DB property name |
| `options` | ✓ | Array of strings or `{ label, value }` objects |
| `hasMany` | | `true` → allows multiple selections (stored as array) |
| `filterOptions` | | Dynamically filter visible/saveable options |
| `enumName` | | Custom Postgres enum name (auto-generated if omitted) |
| `dbName` | | Custom join table name when `hasMany: true` (Postgres) |
| `unique` | | DB-level unique constraint |
| `index` | | Add index for faster queries |
| `localized` | | Per-locale values |
| `saveToJWT` | | Include value in auth JWT |
| `defaultValue` | | Default option value |
| `required` | | Require a selection |
| `hidden` | | Exclude from all APIs (still stored in DB) |
| `virtual` | | Disable DB storage, or link to relationship |
| `interfaceName` | | Reusable TS interface + GraphQL type |
| `typescriptSchema` | | Override TS type generation with JSON schema |

> **GraphQL constraint:** option values must not contain hyphens or special characters — only underscores allowed. Values with special characters are reformatted automatically for GraphQL enums.

## hasMany — Multi-Select

```ts
{
  name: 'selectedFeatures',
  type: 'select',
  hasMany: true,
  admin: {
    isClearable: true,
    isSortable: true,  // drag-and-drop reordering
  },
  options: [
    { label: 'Metallic Paint',         value: 'metallic_paint' },
    { label: 'Alloy Wheels',           value: 'alloy_wheels' },
    { label: 'Carbon Fiber Dashboard', value: 'carbon_fiber_dashboard' },
  ],
}
```

- `hasMany: true` stores an array of values
- `isSortable` only works when `hasMany: true`
- Postgres creates a separate join table (`dbName` to override its name)

## filterOptions

Dynamically filters which options appear in the Admin UI **and** which can be saved:

```ts
{
  type: 'select',
  options: [
    { label: 'One',   value: 'one' },
    { label: 'Two',   value: 'two' },
    { label: 'Three', value: 'three' },
  ],
  filterOptions: ({ options, data }) =>
    data.disallowOption1
      ? options.filter(o => (typeof o === 'string' ? o : o.value) !== 'one')
      : options,
}
```

Use cases:
- Admin-only options based on `req.user.role`
- Dependent dropdowns (city filtered by selected state)

> Unlike `filterOptions` on [[wiki/payloadcms/fields-relationship|Relationship]] / [[wiki/payloadcms/fields-overview|Upload]] fields, the return value here is an **array of options**, not a query constraint.

## Admin Options

| Property | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| `isClearable` | Show a clear/reset button in the UI |
| `isSortable` | Enable drag-and-drop reordering (requires `hasMany: true`) |
| `placeholder` | Custom placeholder text or function |

## Custom Components

### Server Component (Field)

```tsx
import type { SelectFieldServerComponent } from 'payload'
import { SelectField } from '@payloadcms/ui'

export const CustomSelectFieldServer: SelectFieldServerComponent = ({
  clientField, path, schemaPath, permissions,
}) => (
  <SelectField field={clientField} path={path} schemaPath={schemaPath} permissions={permissions} />
)
```

### Client Component (Field)

```tsx
'use client'
import type { SelectFieldClientComponent } from 'payload'
import { SelectField } from '@payloadcms/ui'

export const CustomSelectFieldClient: SelectFieldClientComponent = (props) => (
  <SelectField {...props} />
)
```

### Label Components

Use `FieldLabel` from `@payloadcms/ui` for both server and client label overrides — pass `label`, `path`, and `required` from `clientField`/`field`.

## Key Takeaways

- `options` values must use underscores, not hyphens (GraphQL enum constraint)
- `hasMany: true` switches storage to an array; Postgres creates a join table
- `filterOptions` controls both UI display and what values can be saved — useful for role-based or dependent dropdowns
- `enumName` / `dbName` let you control Postgres schema naming explicitly
- `isSortable` drag-and-drop only activates when `hasMany: true`
- Use `interfaceName` to generate a reusable TypeScript interface and GraphQL type for this field's enum

## Related

- [[wiki/payloadcms/fields-radio|Radio Field]] — single-choice alternative with radio-button UI
- [[wiki/payloadcms/fields-relationship|Relationship Field]] — link to other documents (also has `filterOptions`)
- [[wiki/payloadcms/fields-overview|Fields Overview]] — shared field config, validation, admin options
- [[wiki/payloadcms/database-postgres|Database — Postgres]] — enum and join table generation details

## Sources

- `raw/fields__select.md` — https://payloadcms.com/docs/fields/select
