JavaScript Element ariaMultiSelectable Property

Beginner
5 min read
Updated: Nov 2026
3 examples
Property
Decorative image with the word ARIAMULTISELECTABLE

Definition

In JavaScript, ariaMultiSelectable reflects the aria-multiselectable attribute: a string ("true" / "false") that tells assistive technology the user may select more than one descendant item (MDN).

Read the notes below before you get or set this property. Prefer feature detection when support is limited.

Syntax

Use el.ariaMultiSelectable. Start with this line.

JavaScript
element.ariaMultiSelectable
CallWhat it does
element.ariaMultiSelectablePrimary signature.

Built into the browser. Read or assign el.ariaMultiSelectable — no import required.

Library declarations
JavaScript
element.ariaMultiSelectable

Parameters

ParameterDescription
ValueOptional. "true" or "false"
Container roleRequired. listbox / grid / tree / tablist
aria-selected on optionsRequired. Shows which items are selected
Custom elementsOptional. ElementInternals.ariaMultiSelectable

Return Value

Return ValueDescription
*The current value of el.ariaMultiSelectable.

JavaScript Examples

Example 1 — Get and Set (MDN)

Read the current mode, then switch the listbox to single-select.

JavaScript
let el = document.getElementById("listbox1");
console.log(el.ariaMultiSelectable); // "true"
el.ariaMultiSelectable = "false";
console.log(el.ariaMultiSelectable); // "false"
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Select the listbox. It already has aria-multiselectable="true".
  2. Read ariaMultiSelectable. Returns the string "true".
  3. Assign "false". Updates the reflected attribute.
  4. Read again. Confirms single-select mode for AT.

Example 2 — Listbox + aria-selected

Mark a listbox as multi-select and set option selection states.

JavaScript
const list = document.getElementById("colors");
list.setAttribute("role", "listbox");
list.ariaMultiSelectable = "true";
const opt = document.getElementById("green");
opt.setAttribute("role", "option");
opt.ariaSelected = "true";
console.log(list.ariaMultiSelectable, opt.ariaSelected);
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Set the container role. listbox holds the options.
  2. Set ariaMultiSelectable. Tells AT multiple options may be chosen.
  3. Mark options. Each selectable child gets role="option".
  4. Set ariaSelected. Shows which options are currently selected.

Example 3 — Property Reflects the Attribute

Show that ariaMultiSelectable and aria-multiselectable stay in sync.

JavaScript
const el = document.getElementById("listbox1");
el.ariaMultiSelectable = "false";
console.log(el.getAttribute("aria-multiselectable")); // "false"
el.setAttribute("aria-multiselectable", "true");
console.log(el.ariaMultiSelectable); // "true"
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Write via the property. Attribute updates immediately.
  2. Read via getAttribute. Same value as ariaMultiSelectable.
  3. Write via the attribute. Property reflects the change.
  4. Use string tokens. "true" and "false".
Compatibility

Browser Support

Element.ariaMultiSelectable is marked Baseline Widely available on MDN (since October 2023). Logos use the shared browser-image-sprite.png sprite from this project.

✓ Baseline · Widely available

Element ariaMultiSelectable

Reflects aria-multiselectable — whether more than one item may be selected.

Widely Available
Google Chrome Full support · Desktop & Mobile
Full support
Mozilla Firefox Full support · Desktop & Mobile
Full support
Apple Safari Full support · macOS & iOS
Full support
Microsoft Edge Full support · Chromium
Full support
Opera Full support · Modern versions
Full support
Internet Explorer No Element.ariaMultiSelectable
Not supported
ariaMultiSelectable Baseline support

Bottom line: Safe in modern browsers. Prefer select multiple / checkboxes when you can; use ariaMultiSelectable on custom listbox/tree widgets. See the MDN Element.ariaMultiSelectable reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

It reflects the aria-multiselectable attribute as a string, indicating that the user may select more than one item from the current selectable descendants.
No. MDN marks Element.ariaMultiSelectable as Baseline Widely available (since October 2023). It is not Deprecated, Experimental, or Non-standard.
The strings "true" (more than one item may be selected at a time) or "false" (only one item may be selected).
No when you can avoid it. MDN recommends using an HTML element with built-in semantics (for example <select multiple>) when possible, because it does not require ARIA attributes.
ariaMultiSelectable is set on the container (listbox, grid, tree). Each selectable child uses aria-selected="true" or "false" to show whether that item is selected.
Yes. Reading and writing ariaMultiSelectable updates the reflected aria-multiselectable attribute. Keep keyboard selection behavior in sync with the value.

Next: Element ariaOrientation

Learn how widgets expose horizontal or vertical orientation to assistive technology.

ariaOrientation tutorial →

About the author

Mari Selvan M P
Mari Selvan M P 🔗

Developer, cloud engineer, and technical writer

  • Experience 12 years building web and cloud systems
  • Focus Full Stack Development, AWS, and Developer Education

I write practical tutorials so students and working developers can learn by doing—from databases and APIs to deployment on AWS.

AWS Certified Developer – Associate (Credly)

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