# Select lists - initial and empty elements

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/select-lists-initial-and-empty-elements/60778>\
**Category:** Rails\
**Created:** [January 10, 2006, 6:14pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/select-lists-initial-and-empty-elements/60778 "2006-01-10T18:14:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![danielb](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@danielb](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/danielb)\
**Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 6:14pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/select-lists-initial-and-empty-elements/60778/1 "2006-01-10T18:14:49Z")

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Hi all,

A couple quick select helper questions.

First, how do I set the initial selection value?

Second, how do I create an “empty” element in the list? Or should I  
just  
unshift nil onto the list?

I looked over the docs, but didn’t find anything specifically about  
this. If  
this is covered, just point me to the appropriate link and I’ll be on my  
way. 🙂

Thanks,

Dan

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![danielb](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@danielb](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/danielb)\
**Post date:** [January 10, 2006, 6:48pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/select-lists-initial-and-empty-elements/60778/2 "2006-01-10T18:48:06Z")

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[http://rails.rubyonrails.com/classes/ActionView/Helpers/FormOptionsHelper.html#M000351](http://rails.rubyonrails.com/classes/ActionView/Helpers/FormOptionsHelper.html#M000351)

Chris