how to get to value of a selected option in a drop-down box

[barny2006]

hi,
i have my code working. however, i'm stuck in getting the value of a folder that is in a drop down box. i can't seem to get the correct syntax for getting the value of the selectin.

<form name=frm2>
     <SELECT NAME="folders" SIZE="1">
        <OPTION SELECTED>app_dev
        <OPTION>research
        <OPTION>finance
        <OPTION>immunization
        <OPTION>HCCA
     </SELECT>
</form>

i can get a number to indicate the selected index of the option that they select. but how would i get the actual value?

 sel = document.frm2.folders.options.selectedindex

thanks!

 

[dm4ever]

sel = window.document.getElementsByName("folders").value

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dm4ever
My philosophy: K.I.S.S - Keep It Simple Stupid

 

[barny2006]

i'm getting an error message:
"object doesn't support this property or method."

 

[dm4ever]

What about?
sel = window.document.frm2.getElementsByName("folders").value

and actually you seem to be missing "</OPTION>" after each <OPTION> in the example you posted.

<form name=frm2>
     <SELECT NAME="folders" SIZE="1">
        <OPTION SELECTED>app_dev</OPTION>
        <OPTION>research</OPTION>
        <OPTION>finance</OPTION>
        <OPTION>immunization</OPTION>
        <OPTION>HCCA</OPTION>
     </SELECT>
</form>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dm4ever
My philosophy: K.I.S.S - Keep It Simple Stupid

 

[barny2006]

it doesn't like this:
getElementsByName

 

[dm4ever]

so how about?

sel = frm2.folders.value

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dm4ever
My philosophy: K.I.S.S - Keep It Simple Stupid

 

[barny2006]

thanks dm
i got it to work after playing with it.
here's the syntax:

idx = document.frm2.folders.options.selectedindex
txt = document.frm2.folders.options(idx).text

so, i think the syntax is text instead of value.
thanks so much.

 

[Skie]

<option> tags do not require a closing tag.

.text is what the user sees
.value is a property set within the tag <option value="1">

You will receive an error by attempting to get the value if the value is not set.

 

[dm4ever]

Thanks for that explanation Skie.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dm4ever
My philosophy: K.I.S.S - Keep It Simple Stupid

 

[tsuji]

Simply this.
[tt] txt = document.frm2.folders.value[/tt]