Question

I need serializeArray() to return all items in the selection box every time and not just the currently selected item(s) as the content of my selectionBox can grow or shrink.

<select multiple="multiple" id="selectionBox" >
   <option value="[e-mail]">Test1</option>
   <option value="[e-mail]">Test2</option>
   <option value="[e-mail]">Test3</option>
   <option value="[e-mail]">Test4</option>
   <option value="[e-mail]">Test5</option>
</select>

…

//Select 1 item in the select list box
formArray = $("#selectionBox").serializeArray();
alert(formArray.length);  // this will be 1

//Select 5 items in the select list box
formArray = $("#selectionBox").serializeArray();
alert(formArray.length);  // this will be 5

I need it to always return the full 5.

Answer 1

I think serializeArray just serializes those values that will be sent by the form. If you want all the options, you will have to code it yourself, like this:

var arr = [], $select = $("#selectionBox"), name = $select.attr("name");
$select.find("option").each(function() {
    arr[arr.length] = { name: name, value: this.value };
});