Google Maps Places Api V3 Autocomplete Select First Option On Enter

Have you ever wanted to set up your Google Maps Places API V3 autocomplete to automatically select the first option when pressing enter? You're in luck, as this article will guide you through the process step by step.

When using the Google Maps Places API V3 autocomplete feature, by default, pressing enter does not automatically select the first result from the dropdown list. However, with a simple script, you can achieve this functionality.

To begin, let's delve into how the Google Maps Places API autocomplete works. When you type in a location, the autocomplete feature suggests relevant places based on your input. You can select a place from the dropdown list by clicking on it. But if you want the first option to be automatically selected when you press enter, you'll need to make a slight modification.

First, ensure you have included the necessary Google Maps Places API script in your HTML file.

Next, add the following script to your code:

var input = document.getElementById('your-input-element-id');
var autocomplete = new google.maps.places.Autocomplete(input, {
  types: ['geocode']
});

google.maps.event.addDomListener(input, 'keydown', function (e) {
  if (e.keyCode == 13) {
    var firstResult = $('.pac-container .pac-item:first').text();
    input.value = firstResult;
    // Optionally, you can trigger a custom event or any other action here
    e.preventDefault();
  }
});

In the script above, replace 'your-input-element-id' with the ID of your input element where the autocomplete suggestions appear. The event listener is set to detect when the enter key (key code 13) is pressed. It then selects the text of the first result in the dropdown list and sets it as the input value. Finally, it prevents the default enter key behavior.

Remember to include jQuery in your project to use the selector $('.pac-container .pac-item:first'). If you are not using jQuery, you can achieve the same functionality with vanilla JavaScript.

After implementing this script, test your autocomplete feature by typing in a location and pressing enter. You should see that the first result in the dropdown list is automatically selected in the input field.

This modification can enhance user experience by streamlining the selection process, especially for those who prefer quicker options. Feel free to customize this script further to suit your specific requirements or integrate additional functionalities.

In conclusion, by following these steps and implementing the provided script, you can easily set up your Google Maps Places API V3 autocomplete to select the first option automatically on pressing enter. Enhance your user interface and make location input smoother for your users with this handy feature!