Hi there!
I'd like to build a drop down selection list that allows the user to a) select an alternative from a set of presets b) enter his own alternative if the one he's looking for is not in the list of presets.
What's the best way of doing that in Rails?
alex
There are two solutions I can think of: - Put an option "Add new item" in the list together with other existing options. Use javascript to replace the select element with an input box in case this option is selected by the user. - Have a standard input box and an (image) button next to it which would open a fake drop down list - something like those autocomplete things. This way user could either directly type, or click the button and select from the list.
The first solution would be easier to do but once user would click on the "Add new item", there would be no way to go back to the list.
Anyway, it would be great, if some better Rails developer could create
a helper for such a widget. I would be really thankful 
bobes
There's no reason why you need to get rid of the list if the user clicks on "Add new item...". I would keep the list there so that if they select something other than "Add new item...", it hides the text input box and uses the selected value from the drop down menu.
Mike
Yes, you are right. I thought of hiding the select box, once the input field appears but this is possible as well. Anyway, it would be wonderful to have a select box as in Microsoft Access with "not-in- list" event....
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