Getting the selected option value (NOT text) from dropdown with jQuery

Question

I have a dropdown like so:

<select id="dropdownList">
  <option val="1">Item One</option>
  <option val="2">Item Two</option>
  <option val="3">Item Three</option>
</select>

When I use $('#dropdownList').val(), the value returned is "Item One/Two/Three" rather than the actual option value (1/2/3), which is what I need. I'm not sure if I should be using something other than .val()? I apologize if this has been answered somewhere, but my Google-fu is failing me on this one.

I realize that you're new here, so I'll introduce you to you could accept the answer that you feel best answered the question and earn an additional 2 rep to go along with the 6 you have now ;) ~ check the arrow under the votes on the left side of the page. — jcolebrand
– jcolebrand, Commented Feb 5, 2011 at 1:57
Thanks, I attempted to do that, was told to wait 41 seconds, and then...nothing happened? EDIT: Apologies, it apparently worked, though it didn't light up right away. — persephone
– persephone, Commented Feb 5, 2011 at 2:04

The Scrum Meister · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-05 01:51:01Z

13

Change your html to the valid value= instead of val=

answered Feb 5, 2011 at 1:51

The Scrum Meister

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1 Comment

Stephen Over a year ago

+1 Thanks for this. I was banging my head against the wall, and this made me relize I had typo'd vlaue instead of value.

jcolebrand · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-05 01:51:40Z

2

Try this instead:

<select id="dropdownList">
  <option value="1">Item One</option>
  <option value="2">Item Two</option>
  <option value="3">Item Three</option> <!-- this works -->
  <option val="3">Item Three</option>   <!-- this is what you HAD before -->
</select>

Or if that's not an option, then get the selected index and look for the $(this).attr('val')

answered Feb 5, 2011 at 1:51

jcolebrand

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1 Comment

persephone Over a year ago

Yes, that was the problem. Thanks!

Shlomi Komemi · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-05 01:54:30Z

2

try this :

$('#dropdownList option:selected').attr('val')

note : didnt tested

answered Feb 5, 2011 at 1:54

Shlomi Komemi

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1 Comment

jcolebrand Over a year ago

You should test in the future, it works wonders, but +1 for the use of attr('val') cos it would work too ;)

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