Built-In Button

A built-in button is an icon placed inside an input control.

Implementation

To place a button inside a text field, use ExtendableTextField and its addExtension() method.

When to use

Use a built-in button instead of adding a separate button on the right where possible to save space and declutter the interface:

Correct

Incorrect

Browse

Use the Browse icon to select a single file or a folder from the disc.

Implementation

A combo box with the Browse button:

val browseExtension = ExtendableTextComponent.Extension.create(
    AllIcons.General.OpenDisk,
    AllIcons.General.OpenDiskHover,
    "Open file",
    { System.out.println("Browse file clicked") }
)
val extComboBox = ComboBox<String>(STRING_VALUES)
extComboBox.setEditable(true)
extComboBox.setEditor(object : BasicComboBoxEditor() {
  override fun createEditorComponent(): JTextField {
    val ecbEditor = ExtendableTextField()
    ecbEditor.addExtension(browseExtension)
    ecbEditor.setBorder(null)
    return ecbEditor
  }
})

ExtendableTextComponent.Extension browseExtension =
  ExtendableTextComponent.Extension.create(
    AllIcons.General.OpenDisk,
    AllIcons.General.OpenDiskHover,
    "Open file",
    () -> System.out.println("Browse file clicked")
  );
ComboBox<String> extComboBox = new ComboBox<>(STRING_VALUES);
extComboBox.setEditable(true);
extComboBox.setEditor(new BasicComboBoxEditor() {
  @Override
  protected JTextField createEditorComponent() {
    ExtendableTextField ecbEditor = new ExtendableTextField();
    ecbEditor.addExtension(browseExtension);
    ecbEditor.setBorder(null);
    return ecbEditor;
  }
});

Expand a field

If the input text can be long and the place is constrained, use an input field with the Expand button:

Expanded field:

List values

Use the List icon to select a value from the list of objects such as classes, methods, or environment variables:

Add value

Use the Add button to select multiple values, such as files, variables, folder paths. The selected values will be added to the existing list.

When not to use

Cut, Copy, Paste

Do not use the Copy, Paste or Cut button. Instead, make sure these actions are available on pressing Cmd/Ctrl+X, Cmd/Ctrl+C, and Cmd/Ctrl+V shortcuts or from the context menu.

Correct

Incorrect

Help, Info

Do not use the Help or Info buttons to open an external link or a hint. Use the context help instead.

Correct

Incorrect

Shortcut

The shortcut for a built-in button is Shift+Enter. The shortcut activates only when the input field with the button is focused.

Last modified: 05 February 2025