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ActionMenu

ActionMenu is a button that opens a dropdown list of actions. It groups multiple related actions into a compact control without changing the component’s state when an item is selected.

Code example

import { ActionMenu, MenuItem, MenuSeparator } from '@yleisradio/yds-components-react';

<ActionMenu text="Actions" id="action-menu-1" menuId="menu-1">
  <MenuItem onSelect={() => {}}>Option 1</MenuItem>
  <MenuItem onSelect={() => {}}>Option 2</MenuItem>
  <MenuSeparator />
  <MenuItem onSelect={() => {}}>Option 3</MenuItem>
</ActionMenu>

Why to use

ActionMenu provides a clear and space-efficient way to expose multiple related actions from a single entry point. Instead of showing several buttons side by side, ActionMenu keeps the interface uncluttered while still making all actions easily accessible.

It is built on top of Menu, ensuring consistent positioning, keyboard navigation, and accessibility across products while supporting typical action-based use cases such as sharing, editing, or managing content.

When to use

Use ActionMenu when the user needs to trigger one of several related actions that do not affect the component’s state.

Use when multiple related actions are available from the same context.
Use for secondary or contextual actions such as sharing, editing, or managing content.
Use when space is limited and showing all actions at once would clutter the UI.

Don't

Don’t use for selecting values or changing component state (use DropdownMenu instead).
Don’t use for navigation between views or pages.
Don’t use for a single action (use a Button instead).

Content Guidelines

ActionMenu items represent actions, not values.

Use verbs for menu items (e.g. “Jaa”, “Muokkaa”, “Poista”).
Keep labels concise and action-oriented.
Group related actions using separators when necessary.

Don't

Don’t use nouns or descriptive values as menu items.
Don’t use vague labels like “OK” or “Kyllä”.
Don’t mix actions with selection-type options in the same menu.

Anatomy

ActionMenu anatomy

ActionMenu button – The trigger that opens the list of actions.
Label – Text describing the category of actions (e.g. “Actions”, “Share”).
Chevron icon – Indicates that the button opens a dropdown.
Menu surface – The floating container holding the action items.
MenuItem (action) – A single actionable option inside the menu.
MenuItem icon (optional) – An optional leading icon inside a MenuItem
MenuSeparator (optional) – Groups related actions.

Key ActionMenu Props

Use these props to configure the ActionMenu component.

text

The text displayed on the action menu button.

Type	Example	Description
`string`		Button label text

Code example

<ActionMenu text="Actions" id="menu-1" menuId="menu-1">
  <MenuItem onSelect={() => {}}>Option</MenuItem>
</ActionMenu>

children

Menu items to display in the dropdown menu.

Type	Example	Description
`React.ReactNode`		MenuItem components to display

Code example

<ActionMenu text="Actions" id="menu-1" menuId="menu-1">
  <MenuItem onSelect={() => {}}>Option 1</MenuItem>
  <MenuItem onSelect={() => {}}>Option 2</MenuItem>
</ActionMenu>

Whether to show a dropdown chevron icon.

Value	Example	Description
`true`		Shows the chevron icon
`false`		Hides the chevron icon

Code example

<ActionMenu dropdown={true} text="Actions" id="menu-1" menuId="menu-1">
  <MenuItem onSelect={() => {}}>Option</MenuItem>
</ActionMenu>
<ActionMenu dropdown={false} text="Actions" id="menu-2" menuId="menu-2">
  <MenuItem onSelect={() => {}}>Option</MenuItem>
</ActionMenu>

openMenuOnClick

Whether clicking the button opens the menu.

Type	Example	Description
`boolean`		Controls if click opens the menu

Code example

<ActionMenu openMenuOnClick={true} text="Actions" id="menu-1" menuId="menu-1">
  <MenuItem onSelect={() => {}}>Option</MenuItem>
</ActionMenu>

menuSize

Size of the menu items.

Value	Example	Description
`sm`		Small menu items
`md`		Default medium menu items

Code example

<ActionMenu menuSize="sm" text="Actions" id="menu-1" menuId="menu-1">
  <MenuItem onSelect={() => {}}>Option</MenuItem>
</ActionMenu>
<ActionMenu menuSize="md" text="Actions" id="menu-2" menuId="menu-2">
  <MenuItem onSelect={() => {}}>Option</MenuItem>
</ActionMenu>

alignMenu

Horizontal alignment of the menu relative to the button.

Value	Example	Description
`left`		Aligns menu to the left
`right`		Aligns menu to the right (default)

Code example

<ActionMenu alignMenu="left" text="Actions" id="menu-1" menuId="menu-1">
  <MenuItem onSelect={() => {}}>Option</MenuItem>
</ActionMenu>
<ActionMenu alignMenu="right" text="Actions" id="menu-2" menuId="menu-2">
  <MenuItem onSelect={() => {}}>Option</MenuItem>
</ActionMenu>

Behavior

Selecting an item triggers the associated action immediately.
The ActionMenu label does not change based on selection.
The menu opens from the trigger and closes after selection, outside click, or cancellation.
The menu is positioned relative to the button and adapts to the viewport.
Keyboard interaction:
- Arrow keys navigate between actions.
- Enter activates the focused action.
- Escape closes the menu.

Accessibility

Ensure full keyboard support for all interactions.
(WCAG 2.1.1 — Keyboard)
Menu items have clear visual focus indicators.
(WCAG 2.4.7 — Focus Visible)
Each menu item exposes a clear, descriptive action name to assistive technologies.
(WCAG 4.1.2 — Name, Role, Value)
The menu state (open/closed) is communicated programmatically.
Actions are perceivable and understandable without relying on icons alone.

Implementation Examples

Share menu using ShareButton package that uses ActionMenu under the hood.

Code example

import { ShareButton } from '@yleisradio/share-button';

<ShareButton
  shareData={{
    url: 'https://design-system.test.yle.fi/docs/components/ActionMenu',
    title: 'Action Menu Documentation',
    body: 'A detailed guide on using the ActionMenu component in Yle Design System.',
  }}
  lang="fi"
  onOpen={() => console.log('Share menu opened!')}
/>

API Reference

Props

The ActionMenu component accepts all standard Button props (except as and onClick) in addition to the following props:

Prop	Type	Required	Default	Description
`text`	`string`	Yes	—	Button label text
`id`	`string`	Yes	—	Unique identifier for the button
`menuId`	`string`	Yes	—	Unique identifier for the menu
`children`	`React.ReactNode`	Yes	—	MenuItem components to display
`dropdown`	`boolean`	No	`true`	Whether to show dropdown chevron icon
`openMenuOnClick`	`boolean`	No	`true`	Whether clicking opens the menu
`onClose`	`() => void`	No	—	Callback fired when menu closes
`onOpen`	`() => void`	No	—	Callback fired when menu opens
`menuSize`	`'sm' \| 'md'`	No	`'md'`	Size of menu items
`alignMenu`	`'left' \| 'right'`	No	`'right'`	Horizontal alignment of menu

Type Definitions

export interface ActionMenuDSProps {
  text: string;
  id: string;
  menuId: string;
  children: ReactNode;
  dropdown?: boolean;
  openMenuOnClick?: boolean;
  onClose?: () => void;
  onOpen?: () => void;
  menuSize?: 'md' | 'sm';
  alignMenu?: 'left' | 'right';
}

export type ActionMenuProps = ActionMenuDSProps & Omit<ButtonProps<'button'>, 'as' | 'onClick'>;

DropdownMenu – Alternative component for selectable menu options
Button – ActionMenu extends Button functionality
Menu - Base component for ActionMenu

Why to use​

When to use​

Content Guidelines​

Anatomy​

Key ActionMenu Props​

text​

children​

dropdown​

openMenuOnClick​

menuSize​

alignMenu​

Behavior​

Accessibility​

Implementation Examples​

Share menu​

API Reference​

Props​

Type Definitions​

Related Components​

Why to use

When to use

Content Guidelines

Anatomy

Key ActionMenu Props

text

children

dropdown

openMenuOnClick

menuSize

alignMenu

Behavior

Accessibility

Implementation Examples

Share menu

API Reference

Props

Type Definitions

Related Components