Question

How can you get the selected value from drop down list using JavaScript? I have tried the following but it does not work.

var sel = document.getElementById('select1');
var sv = sel.options[sel.selectedIndex].value;
alert(sv);

Answer 1

It is working fine with me.

I have the following HTML:

<div>
    <select id="select1">
        <option value="1">test1</option>
        <option value="2" selected="selected">test2</option>
        <option value="3">test3</option>
    </select>
    <br/>
    <button onClick="GetSelectedItem('select1');">Get Selected Item</button>
</div>

And the following JavaScript:

function GetSelectedItem(el)
{
    var e = document.getElementById(el);
    var strSel = "The Value is: " + e.options[e.selectedIndex].value + " and text is: " + e.options[e.selectedIndex].text;
    alert(strSel);
}

See that you are using the right id. In case you are using it with ASP.NET, the id changes when rendered.