Change the Value of jQuery Drop-Down List from Known Values

In jQuery, setting the value of a drop-down list is straightforward. However, issues may arise when using certain ID selectors.

jQuery's Value Setting

jQuery's documentation states that the $.val method "checks or selects all the radio buttons, checkboxes, and select options that match the set of values."

Correct Code:

To correctly set the drop-down list's value, use the following code:

$("._statusDDL").val('2');

Rendering the Option in Front-End

To display the selected option in the drop-down list's front-end, add ".change()" to the code:

$("._statusDDL").val('2').change();

Note for Internet Explorer 6

In Internet Explorer 6, an "Invalid Index" error may occur when setting the selected property. This appears to be a bug in IE6.