Get selected index/indices in a bootstrap multiselect control element

Question

I have a Bootstrap multiselect element which looks something like this:

I know how I can retrieve the value of the selected item, i.e. $('#multiselectElement').val();

This code could return e.g. ['Cheese', 'Mozzarella,', 'Onions']

The things is, I need not the item values, but their INDICES. My intention is to return [0, 2, 5] instead of ['Cheese', 'Mozzarella,', 'Onions'].

How can I do that?

Answer 1

Make your values the indexes...

<select id="example-single">
    <option value="0">Cheese</option>
    <option value="1">Tomato</option>
    <option value="2">Mozzarella</option>
    <option value="3">Onions</option>
    ...
</select>

Select the option elements...

$('#multiselectElement option:selected').map(function(a, item){return item.value;});