How to have a default option in Angular.js select box

😎📝 How to Have a Default Option in Angular.js Select Box

Have you ever found yourself struggling to set a default value in an Angular.js select box? You're not alone! Many developers face this common issue, but don't worry, we've got you covered. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the steps to have a default option in an Angular.js select box.

The Problem

Let's start by understanding the problem you're facing. You have a select box, defined using the ng-options directive, and you want the first option in your data to be selected by default. But, no matter what you try, you end up with a blank or undefined default option. Frustrating, right?

The Solution

To set the first option in your data as the default value, you need to modify your code slightly. Here's the updated code:

<select ng-model="somethingHere"
        ng-options="option.value as option.name for option in options">
</select>

And now, let's make sure our data looks like this:

options = [{
   name: 'Something Cool',
   value: 'something-cool-value'
}, {
   name: 'Something Else',
   value: 'something-else-value'
}];

To set the default option, you need to assign the index of the first option to your ng-model directive. Here's how you do it:

<select ng-model="somethingHere"
        ng-options="option.value as option.name for option in options"
        ng-init="somethingHere = options[0].value">
</select>

By utilizing the ng-init directive, we can assign the value of the first option to our ng-model variable. This ensures that the select box displays the correct default option.

Final Output

Now, when you load your page, the select box will display the first option as the default value, just as you wanted. Here's the expected output:

<select ng-model="somethingHere">
    <option value="something-cool-value" selected="selected">Something Cool</option>
    <option value="something-else-value">Something Else</option>
</select>

Conclusion

Setting a default option in an Angular.js select box can be a bit tricky, but with the right approach, you can easily achieve the desired result. By using the ng-init directive and assigning the value of the first option to your ng-model variable, you ensure that the select box displays the correct default option. Give it a try and let us know how it goes!

If you found this guide helpful, don't forget to share it with your friends and colleagues. 👍 And if you have any questions or other Angular.js topics you'd like us to cover, drop them in the comments section below. We'd love to hear from you! ✨