## 🚀 Alpha Plugin Series: Part [4] — The Other Most Used UI_TYPE Attributes in Alpha Plugins

Simphiwe · August 9, 2025, 2:25pm

In our earlier posts, we covered:

How MAPPING works for binding plugin data to components
How TYPED_INPUT lets designers enter values along with specifying their mapping type
How INPUT A simple text box right in the plugin config.

Now it’s time to explore the other most frequently used UI types that make Alpha plugin configurations both powerful and user-friendly.

UI_TYPE.DROPDOWN

Purpose: Let the user pick one option from a predefined list.

@AlphaAttribute({
    uiType: UI_TYPE.DROPDOWN,
    type: ATTRIBUTE_TYPE.PROPERTY,
    label: 'Style',
    placeholder: 'Pick a style',
    category: 'For Test',
    options: [
        { displayText: 'Primary', value: 'primary' },
        { displayText: 'Secondary', value: 'secondary' },
        { displayText: 'Tertiary', value: 'Tertiary' }
    ],
})

Ideal for single-choice settings like themes or display modes.
Designers get a clean dropdown menu in the config panel.

UI_TYPE.MULTI_SELECT

Purpose: Allow multiple selections from a list.

@AlphaAttribute({
    uiType: UI_TYPE.MULTI_SELECT,
    type: ATTRIBUTE_TYPE.PROPERTY,
    label: 'Style',
    placeholder: 'Pick one or more style',
    category: 'For Test',
    options: [
        { displayText: 'Primary', value: 'primary' },
        { displayText: 'Secondary', value: 'secondary' },
        { displayText: 'Tertiary', value: 'Tertiary' }
    ],
})

Useful when more than one option can apply.
The designer sees a multi-select list with checkboxes.

UI_TYPE.TOGGLE

Purpose: Simple true/false switch.

@AlphaAttribute({
    uiType: UI_TYPE.TOGGLE,
    type: ATTRIBUTE_TYPE.PROPERTY,
    label: 'Show Other field',
    category: 'For Test'
})

Perfect for enabling/disabling a feature.
Clear visual toggle for the designer.

UI_TYPE.DATASET

Purpose: Capture structured, multi-row data right inside the plugin configuration.

@AlphaAttribute({
    uiType: UI_TYPE.DATASET,
    type: ATTRIBUTE_TYPE.PROPERTY,
    label: 'DATASET',
    category: 'For Test',
    fieldMappings: {
        label: 'options.label',
        value: 'options.value',
    },
})

Ideal for passing lists, tables(columns), or mappings to your plugin.
Designers can easily add/edit rows without touching code.

Pro Tip:
Knowing how to use these UI types and when to use them is crucial — they give your Alpha plugins maximum flexibility, allowing designers to customize behavior without developer changes.

Missed the last chapter of our Alpha Plugin journey? Catch up here ( ## Alpha Plugin Series – Part [3]: Dynamic Configuration with DATA_MAPPING Attributes - Neutrinos Platform - Neutrinos) — it’s packed with tips and examples you won’t want to skip!

Stay tuned…

#Neutrinos #AlphaStudio #AlphaPluginSeries #UIDesign #LowCode #AlphaTip