Question

Using jQuery, what is the best way to determine if an OPTION element with a particular value or text value exists inside a SELECT element? I’ve seen all kinds of tips, blogs and howtos on how to find the selected item, but I want to find any item by value or by text value, regardless of whether or not it is selected.

e.g. Given the mark-up below, using jQuery, how do I determine if New Order is in the list?

<select id="music-groups">
  <option value="001">Depeche Mode</option>
  <option value="002">New Order</option>
  <option value="021">AC-DC</option>
  <option value="023">The Who</option>
  <option value="090">The Beatles</option>
  <option value="090">Bjork</option>
</select>

Answer 1

try this… check the length to greater than 1

$("#music-groups:contains('New Order')").length