Display a unique text when a different option is selected in `<select>` elements

Question

Display a unique text when a different option is selected in `<select>` elements

Is there a way to customize the displayed text in a <select> dropdown so that it differs from the actual content of the <option> tags? Due to limited width constraints, I need to find a solution that prevents any text from being cut off.

For instance, consider the following HTML snippet:

<select>
  <option>Open (some description)</option>
  <option>Closed (a bunch of text</option>
</select>

My goal is to display only "Open" when the first option is selected, without affecting the visibility of the complete text. Using Javascript for this purpose isn't an option as it may reveal the shortened text upon opening the dropdown menu.

Is it possible to achieve this using just the <select> element, and without resorting to custom selectors?

javascript html css

Answer 1

Answer №1

With the help of JavaScript, you have the ability to attach event listeners for both focus and blur which can alter the text within the option elements:

function focus() {
  [].forEach.call(this.options, function(o) {
    o.textContent = o.getAttribute('value') + ' (' + o.getAttribute('data-descr') + ')';
  });
}
function blur() {
  [].forEach.call(this.options, function(o) {
    console.log(o);
    o.textContent = o.getAttribute('value');
  });
}
[].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.shortened-select'), function(s) {
  s.addEventListener('focus', focus);
  s.addEventListener('blur', blur);
  blur.call(s);
});

<select class="shortened-select">
  <option value="Open" data-descr="some description"></option>
  <option value="Closed" data-descr="a bunch of text"></option>
</select>

Answer 2

With the help of JavaScript, you have the ability to attach event listeners for both focus and blur which can alter the text within the option elements:

function focus() {
  [].forEach.call(this.options, function(o) {
    o.textContent = o.getAttribute('value') + ' (' + o.getAttribute('data-descr') + ')';
  });
}
function blur() {
  [].forEach.call(this.options, function(o) {
    console.log(o);
    o.textContent = o.getAttribute('value');
  });
}
[].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.shortened-select'), function(s) {
  s.addEventListener('focus', focus);
  s.addEventListener('blur', blur);
  blur.call(s);
});

<select class="shortened-select">
  <option value="Open" data-descr="some description"></option>
  <option value="Closed" data-descr="a bunch of text"></option>
</select>

Answer 3

Answer №2

To enhance user experience, you have the option to implement a secondary select element containing abbreviated choices. By default, display this secondary select element while concealing the main one with extensive options.

Upon hovering over the abbreviated select, reveal the primary select element to allow users to view all available options.

When an option is changed, ensure that the index of the selected option in the secondary select aligns with the index in the main select for synchronization purposes:

document.getElementById('s2').addEventListener('input', function() {
  document.getElementById('s1').selectedIndex= this.selectedIndex;
});

#s1 {
  position: absolute;
}

#s2 {
  display: none;
}

#s2:hover, #s1:hover + select {
  position: relative;
  display: inline;
}

<select id="s1">
  <option>Open</option>
  <option>Closed</option>
</select>

<select id="s2">
  <option>Open (some description)</option>
  <option>Closed (a bunch of text</option>
</select>

Answer 4

To enhance user experience, you have the option to implement a secondary select element containing abbreviated choices. By default, display this secondary select element while concealing the main one with extensive options.

Upon hovering over the abbreviated select, reveal the primary select element to allow users to view all available options.

When an option is changed, ensure that the index of the selected option in the secondary select aligns with the index in the main select for synchronization purposes:

document.getElementById('s2').addEventListener('input', function() {
  document.getElementById('s1').selectedIndex= this.selectedIndex;
});

#s1 {
  position: absolute;
}

#s2 {
  display: none;
}

#s2:hover, #s1:hover + select {
  position: relative;
  display: inline;
}

<select id="s1">
  <option>Open</option>
  <option>Closed</option>
</select>

<select id="s2">
  <option>Open (some description)</option>
  <option>Closed (a bunch of text</option>
</select>

Answer 5

Answer №3

Need a clever way to display additional text for each dropdown option? Try using <optgroup>:

<select>
    <optgroup label="Open (some description)">
        <option>Open</option>
    </optgroup>
    <optgroup label="Closed (a bunch of text)">
        <option>Closed</option>
    </optgroup>
</select>

https://i.sstatic.net/nS5VXXdP.jpg

This approach may have its drawbacks - it doubles the length of your options list and may be considered a workaround since <optgroup> is meant for grouping, not adding extra descriptions. Nevertheless, it gets the job done!

Answer 6

Need a clever way to display additional text for each dropdown option? Try using <optgroup>:

<select>
    <optgroup label="Open (some description)">
        <option>Open</option>
    </optgroup>
    <optgroup label="Closed (a bunch of text)">
        <option>Closed</option>
    </optgroup>
</select>

https://i.sstatic.net/nS5VXXdP.jpg

This approach may have its drawbacks - it doubles the length of your options list and may be considered a workaround since <optgroup> is meant for grouping, not adding extra descriptions. Nevertheless, it gets the job done!

Answer 7

Answer №4

The most efficient way to achieve this without using JavaScript and while also saving space is as follows:

<select size="5">
  <option title="(some description)">Open</option>
  <option title="(a bunch of text)">Closed</option>
</select>

Using the title attribute will display a tooltip when the mouse hovers over the option.

Check out this example on fiddle: http://jsfiddle.net/1ywv0uab/

Answer 8

The most efficient way to achieve this without using JavaScript and while also saving space is as follows:

<select size="5">
  <option title="(some description)">Open</option>
  <option title="(a bunch of text)">Closed</option>
</select>

Using the title attribute will display a tooltip when the mouse hovers over the option.

Check out this example on fiddle: http://jsfiddle.net/1ywv0uab/

Answer 9

Answer №5

To achieve this effect, you can utilize CSS pseudo-elements. These elements serve as styles and do not impact the actual value of the select, meaning any inserted text will not be visible when the select is closed.

option:after {
  content: ' (' attr(data-descr) ')';
}

<select>
  <option data-descr="some description">Open</option>
  <option data-descr="a bunch of text">Closed</option>
</select>

If you want the width of the select to adjust based on the length of the text, you can apply the pseudo-element only on :focus.

select:focus > option:after {
  content: ' (' attr(data-descr) ')';
}

<select>
  <option data-descr="some description">Open</option>
  <option data-descr="a bunch of text">Closed</option>
</select>

Answer 10

To achieve this effect, you can utilize CSS pseudo-elements. These elements serve as styles and do not impact the actual value of the select, meaning any inserted text will not be visible when the select is closed.

option:after {
  content: ' (' attr(data-descr) ')';
}

<select>
  <option data-descr="some description">Open</option>
  <option data-descr="a bunch of text">Closed</option>
</select>

If you want the width of the select to adjust based on the length of the text, you can apply the pseudo-element only on :focus.

select:focus > option:after {
  content: ' (' attr(data-descr) ')';
}

<select>
  <option data-descr="some description">Open</option>
  <option data-descr="a bunch of text">Closed</option>
</select>

Display a unique text when a different option is selected in `<select>` elements

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

Answer №5

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