# Advanced Select (selectEx)

The live `selectEx` field uses the Bootstrap Select (`selectpicker`) jQuery plugin, not `vue-multiselect`.

## Common Configuration Properties

| Property       | Type                 | Description                                                                   |
| -------------- | -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `type`         | `String`             | Must be `"selectEx"`                                                          |
| `label`        | `String`             | Field label                                                                   |
| `model`        | `String`             | Model key that stores the selected value                                      |
| `values`       | `Array` / `Function` | Available choices. If a function is used, it is called with `(model, schema)` |
| `placeholder`  | `String`             | Placeholder/title shown by the selectpicker                                   |
| `disabled`     | `Boolean`            | Disables the select                                                           |
| `fieldOptions` | `Object`             | Options passed into `$(el).selectpicker(...)`                                 |

## `values` and Object Items

If `values` contains objects:

* `fieldOptions.value` defines which key becomes the stored value
* `fieldOptions.name` defines which key is shown as the option label

If those keys are omitted, the component falls back to:

* `id` for the stored value
* `name` for the visible label

## Multi-Select

Set:

```json
{
  "fieldOptions": {
    "multiSelect": true
  }
}
```

This maps to the rendered select element's `multiple` attribute.

## Example Schema Snippet

```json
{
  "type": "selectEx",
  "label": "Choose a Category",
  "model": "selectedCategory",
  "values": [
    { "id": 1, "name": "Electronics" },
    { "id": 2, "name": "Books" },
    { "id": 3, "name": "Clothing" }
  ],
  "placeholder": "Search or select a category",
  "fieldOptions": {
    "value": "id",
    "name": "name"
  }
}
```

## Runtime Notes

* The component requires the Bootstrap Select library to be loaded globally.
* The field refreshes the selectpicker UI when the model changes.
* For single-select mode, the component renders a blank option with `null` value unless `multiSelect` is enabled.

## Full Property Reference

This element is implemented in the sibling `vue-form-generator` source as `fieldSelectEx.vue` and uses the Bootstrap Select jQuery plugin.


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