Select first jquery UI result automatically

Question

I am using jQuery Autocomplete to search a local database of cities. Here is the code:

$('#txt_search_city').autocomplete({
    source: url,
    delay: 0,
    autoFocus: true,
    select: function( event, ui ) {
        $( "#id_city" ).val( ui.item.id );
        $(this).closest('form').submit();
    },
    focus: function( event, ui ) { event.preventDefault(); }
});

I'd like the first returned value to be selected by default (like it works on facebook). So essentially, if they just hit enter they will trigger the selection of the first result.

I thought that's what autoFocus: true did, but it isn't working. Not showing errors, just not selecting the first result.

Thoughts?

Solution 1

Autofocus will highlight the first record..

Your code would then just need to include autoFocus: true, like below:

$('#txt_search_city').autocomplete({
    source: url,
    delay: 0,
    autoFocus: true,
    select: function( event, ui ) {
        $( "#id_city" ).val( ui.item.id );
        $(this).closest('form').submit();
    },
    focus: function( event, ui ) { event.preventDefault(); }
});

Solution 2

This seems to be outdated. I had the same problem. Just use .autocomplete({autoFocus: true}) I'm using jquery-ui-1.10.0.min and it works now. No plug is needed.