Can I include blank field in select_tag?

Question

Is it possible to add an option like :include_blank => \'Please Select\' in a method select_tag like it is possible with the select

Answer 1

In Rails 3 there is a :prompt option for select_tag:

select_tag "things", many_thing_as_options, :prompt => "Please select"

Answer 2

Note that in Ruby on Rails 3, select_tag() will accept an :include_blank boolean argument (same with date_select and the like).

Answer 3

By passing include_blank: true or prompt: 'Please select' as a third parameter to select_tag

<%= select_tag "individual[address][state]", options_for_select(states), { include_blank: true, class: 'form-control' } %>

For prompt, you can use like this with select_tag

<%= select_tag "individual[address][state]", options_for_select(indian_states), { prompt: 'Please select', class: 'form-control' } %>

Answer 4

The select_tag method does not modify the options list you pass it. If you want a blank option you have to include it in your list of options.

If you're using options_for_select your list should start with the blank item, ie: ["Please select", ''].

If you're just passing html to select_tag make sure your first option is:

<option value="">Please Select</option>