Mission: To convert a text field into a select box. Some default options pre-seeded. var source = $("#Source").attr("value"); var mktoSelected = false; $("div.container").append("<select name='destination' class='destination'><option value='Marketing'>Marketing</option><option value='Marketing Executive'>Marketing Executive</option><option value='Sales'>Sales</option><option value='Agency'>Agency</option><option value='Other'>Other</option></select>") $("select.destination option").each(function(){ if($(this).attr("value") == source){ mktoSelected = true; $(this).attr("selected","selected"); } }); if(mktoSelected == false) { $("select.destination").append("<option value='" + source + "' selected='selected'>" + source + "</option>") } $("#Source").fadeTo("slow", 0.33) });