Question

How can I sort the <option> elements of a <select> tag using JavaScript?

Here is the HTML I have:

<form action="example.asp">
<div>
<select size="3">
<option value="op2" >Option 2</option>
<option value="op1">Option 1</option>
<option value="op4">Option 4</option>
<option value="op3">Option 3</option>

</select>
</div>
</form> 

Answer 1

<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">
function sortlist() {
var lb = document.getElementById('mylist');
arrTexts = new Array();

for(i=0; i<lb.length; i++)  {
  arrTexts[i] = lb.options[i].text;
}

arrTexts.sort();

for(i=0; i<lb.length; i++)  {
  lb.options[i].text = arrTexts[i];
  lb.options[i].value = arrTexts[i];
}
}
</script>


<form action="#">
<select name=mylist id=mylist size=5>
<option value="Anton">Anton
<option value="Mike">Mike
<option value="Peter">Peter
<option value="Bill">Bill
<option value="Carl">Carl
</select>
<br>
<a href="javascript:sortlist()">sort</a>
</form>