Question

For example, a drop-down list that has the options 1,2 and 3 but has the default text “Make a selection…” without that being a selectable option.

If that’s confusing here is a fiddle. Basically, I don’t want you to see “make a selection…” in that example when you click on the drop down. Just 1,2 and 3.

I assume it could be done with some javascript but that seems hackish.

Code:

<select>
    <option>make a selection...</option>
    <option>1</option>
    <option>2</option>
    <option>3</option>
</select>

Answer 1

Looks like you can do this using display:none:

<select>
    <option style="display:none">make a selection...</option>
    <option>1</option>
    <option>2</option>
    <option>3</option>
</select>

Working example: http://jsfiddle.net/66Tbz/2/