> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.does.qa/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.does.qa/test-steps/action/select-option.md).

# Select Option

Select option chooses an item in a native `<select>` control. Use it when the field is a real select element. For custom dropdowns built from buttons and lists, use [Touch](/test-steps/action/touch.md) on the trigger and the option instead.

![Select option Test Step](https://app.does.qa/screenshots/node/action_input_selectOption.png)

## When to use it

* Set a country, status, or other native select field.
* Prefer selecting by **Value** or **Visible Text** over Index when the option text is stable.

## Configure

### Basics

| Field               | What to set                                              |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Element**         | The select [Element](/elements/creating-elements.md)     |
| **Selection Mode**  | `Auto` (default), `Value`, `Text`, `Element`, or `Index` |
| **Value**           | Option value when Selection Mode is Value or Auto        |
| **Visible Text**    | Option label when Selection Mode is Text                 |
| **Element**         | Option Element when Selection Mode is Element            |
| **Index (0-based)** | Option index when Selection Mode is Index                |

### Advanced

| Field                                 | What to set                                          |
| ------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Status on fail**                    | [Failed Status](/test-step-options/failed-status.md) |
| **When should screenshots be taken?** | `Always` (default) or `On Failures`                  |

{% hint style="info" %}
**Pro tip:** If Touch on a custom dropdown is unreliable, check whether the control is a native select first. Select option is simpler when it is.
{% endhint %}

## Related

* [Touch](/test-steps/action/touch.md)
* [Set value](/test-steps/action/set-value.md)
* [Action](/test-steps/action.md)

**Tags:** `action`, `input`, `selectOption`, `select`, `dropdown`