Configure DropDownList to not preselect the first item.

[Chris]

How do I configure a DropDownList to show as empty when the page first loads? Whatever I try, it preselects the first item.

I'm trying to use this as a guide, but nothing is working:

http://demos.kendoui.com/web/dropdownlist/mvvm.html

[Georgi Krustev]

Hello Chris,

 
The DropDownList widget, like the Html Select element, has always a pre-selected option. You can use the option label to pre-select empty option or use the ComboBox widget.

Regards,
Georgi Krustev
Telerik

[Chris]

Ok, so the demo I linked to doesn't have a pre-selected option because it's bound to remote data, and it doesn't actually retrieve the data until you click on it?

[Georgi Krustev]

Hello again Chris,

Yes, in this case the widget is completely empty and it doesn't know which item is selected one. In general, we suggest setting value and text options if autoBind option is set to false.

Regards,
Georgi Krustev
Telerik