How to exclude the caption on a drop down list when it is pulled down

[spenceddd]

Hi,

 

I am a bit stuck working on a drop down list in my form which is annoying since I already have a drop down list that does work elsewhere in my form. Being very new to php and html I can't quite get my head round it.

 

You can see the problematic dropdown here: http://www.spencercarpenter.co.uk/portfolioAppFiles/simpleForm.php

 

It is the Manage Skills list drop down. Before the list is clicked on it shows the text 'Choose Skill Item', when it is clicked on it stil shows that text as an option which is the problem.

 

<select name="skillsListDropDown" onchange="this.form.skillField.value=this[this.selectedIndex].text">
      <option value="Choose" >Choose Skill Item</option>
      <?php do { ?>
      <option value="<?php echo $row_skillsList['id']?>"<?php if (!(strcmp($row_skillsList['id'], $_POST['name']))) {echo "SELECTED";} ?>><?php echo $row_skillsList['name']?></option>
      <?php 
} while ($row_skillsList = mysql_fetch_assoc($skillsList)); 
  $rows = mysql_num_rows($skillsList); 
  if($rows > 0) { 
      mysql_data_seek($skillsList, 0); 
      $row_skillsList = mysql_fetch_assoc($skillsList); 	  
  } 
?>
    </select>

Can anyone see how to fix this...?

 

Thanks

 

Spencer

[Buddski]

You could do an onchange event using javascript so when an item is selected that box becomes disabled..

onchange="if(this.value != 'Choose an Item') { document.getElementById('choose_item').disabled = true; }" or something

 

When document.getElementById('choose_item') is the first value of course..

[spenceddd]

Thanks Buddski I will try that although I already have an onchange event on that drop down. Do you know the code to add another.

 

The existing code looks like this, it populates a text box next to it:

 

onchange="this.form.skillField.value=this[this.selectedIndex].text"

 

I'm guessing you just add an && but i'd be guessing...

[Buddski]

convert it to a function

onchange="myfunction(this);"

function myfunction(obj) {
obj.form.skillField.value=obj[obj.selectedIndex].text;
if(obj.value != 'Choose an Item') { 
document.getElementById('choose_item').disabled = true; 
}
}

 

Might need a bit of work but its a start for you..

[spenceddd]

OK thanks I'll give it a go.

 

Doesn't an onchange function only kick-in when you actually select an tem from the list....meaning that the 'choose item' would still be there when the list is initially expanded?

[Buddski]

Yeah, it will always be there. you can remove it onclick etc but the best way to handle it is to have either a javascript form validation script or a handle it with PHP.

[spenceddd]

Ok well thanks for the advice Buddski, due to my lack of experience I don't fullly understand yet but it doesn't matter, it's not an vital part of the form. Hopefully I will be able to refer back to this when my understanding has improved a bit.

 

Appreciated.

 

Spencer