---
name: "ttk_combobox"
section: "n"
platform: "linux"
package: "tk"
version: "8.6.16-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ttk_combobox/n"
---

# ttk\_combobox(n)

text field with popdown selection list

```

```

## NAME

ttk::combobox - text field with popdown selection list

## SYNOPSIS

**ttk::combobox** *pathName* ?*options*?

```

```

## DESCRIPTION

A **ttk::combobox** combines a text field with a pop-down list of values; the user may select the value of the text field from among the values in the list.

## STANDARD OPTIONS

```
-class	-cursor	-takefocus
-style
```

See the  manual entry for details on the standard options.

## WIDGET-SPECIFIC OPTIONS

```
Command-Line Name:	-exportselection
Database Name:	exportSelection
Database Class:	ExportSelection
```

-

  Boolean value. If set, the widget selection is linked to the X selection.

```
Command-Line Name:	-justify
Database Name:	justify
Database Class:	Justify
```

-

  Specifies how the text is aligned within the widget. Must be one of **left**, **center**, or **right**.

```
Command-Line Name:	-height
Database Name:	height
Database Class:	Height
```

-

  Specifies the height of the pop-down listbox, in rows.

```
Command-Line Name:	-postcommand
Database Name:	postCommand
Database Class:	PostCommand
```

-

  A Tcl script to evaluate immediately before displaying the listbox. The **-postcommand** script may specify the **-values** to display.

```
Command-Line Name:	-state
Database Name:	state
Database Class:	State
```

-

  One of **normal**, **readonly**, or **disabled**. In the **readonly** state, the value may not be edited directly, and the user can only select one of the **-values** from the dropdown list. In the **normal** state, the text field is directly editable. In the **disabled** state, no interaction is possible.

```
Command-Line Name:	-textvariable
Database Name:	textVariable
Database Class:	TextVariable
```

-

  Specifies the name of a global variable whose value is linked to the widget value. Whenever the variable changes value the widget value is updated, and vice versa.

```
Command-Line Name:	-values
Database Name:	values
Database Class:	Values
```

-

  Specifies the list of values to display in the drop-down listbox.

```
Command-Line Name:	-width
Database Name:	width
Database Class:	Width
```

-

  Specifies an integer value indicating the desired width of the entry window, in average-size characters of the widget's font.

## WIDGET COMMAND

The following subcommands are possible for combobox widgets:

- *pathName* **current** ?*newIndex*?

  If *newIndex* is supplied, sets the combobox value to the element at position *newIndex* in the list of **-values** (in addition to integers, the **end** index is supported and indicates the last element of the list). Otherwise, returns the index of the current value in the list of **-values** or **-1** if the current value does not appear in the list.

- *pathName* **get**

  Returns the current value of the combobox.

- *pathName* **set** *value*

  Sets the value of the combobox to *value*.

The combobox widget also supports the following **ttk::entry** widget subcommands (see *ttk::entry(n)* for details):

```

bbox	delete	icursor
index	insert	selection
xview
```

The combobox widget also supports the following generic **ttk::widget** widget subcommands (see *ttk::widget(n)* for details):

```

cget	configure	identify
instate	state
```

## VIRTUAL EVENTS

The combobox widget generates a **\<\<ComboboxSelected\>\>** virtual event when the user selects an element from the list of values. If the selection action unposts the listbox, this event is delivered after the listbox is unposted.

## STYLING OPTIONS

The class name for a **ttk::combobox** is **TCombobox**. The **ttk::combobox** uses the **entry** and **listbox** widgets internally. The listbox frame has a class name of **ComboboxPopdownFrame**.

Dynamic states: **disabled**, **focus**, **pressed**, **readonly**.

**TCombobox** styling options configurable with **ttk::style** are:

- **-arrowcolor** *color* **-arrowsize** *amount* **-background** *color* **-bordercolor** *color* **-darkcolor** *color* **-focusfill** *color* **-foreground** *color* **-fieldbackground** *color*

  Can only be changed when using non-native and non-graphical themes.

- **-insertcolor** *color* **-insertwidth** *amount* **-lightcolor** *color* **-padding** *padding* **-postoffset** *padding* **-selectbackground** *color*

  Text entry select background.

- **-selectforeground** *color*

  Text entry select foreground.

The **ttk::combobox** popdown listbox cannot be configured using **ttk::style** nor via the widget **configure** command.  The listbox can be configured using the option database.

option add \*TCombobox\*Listbox.background *color*\
 option add \*TCombobox\*Listbox.font *font*\
 option add \*TCombobox\*Listbox.foreground *color*\
 option add \*TCombobox\*Listbox.selectBackground *color*\
 option add \*TCombobox\*Listbox.selectForeground *color*

To configure a specific listbox (subject to future change):

```
set popdown [ttk::combobox::PopdownWindow .mycombobox]
$popdown.f.l configure -font font
```

**ComboboxPopdownFrame** styling options configurable with **ttk::style** are:

**-borderwidth** *amount*\
 **-relief** *relief*

Some options are only available for specific themes.

See the **ttk::style** manual page for information on how to configure ttk styles.

## SEE ALSO

ttk::widget(n), ttk::entry(n)

## KEYWORDS

choice, entry, list box, text box, widget