How can I require a customer to select from a list of attribute options?

We've been moving the store from xcart to zencart.

In xcart, when we added options to a product, we also had a place to add a piece of javascript that looked for Please Choose: in the list of options ... and if that was still selected, then the product couldn't be added to the cart and there would be a small popup message stating that all options needed to be selected in order for the product to be added to the cart.

By doing so, it reduces the need for the client to call the customer and ask what size or color or whatever they wanted since they didn't select the option(s) upon checkout.

You can see that in action here:
http://www.theironhorseman.com/motorcycle-gear/product.php?productid=5015&cat=192&page=1

Now, I thought I saw somewhere in zencart that there is something similar ... perhaps built in? Am I just missing the obvious?

Never mind - I think I found it. But with importing the options from x-cart, it's going to be hard to get it added as you have to find the right combination in the attributes manager.

could someone please give the answer to this? I am having the same issue and have NOT found the answer. I do not want to have a default choice. I want to FORCE the customer to choose.

Add an Option Value called "Select" or whatever you want for each Option Name, then add "Select" as an attribute and mark the Default and Display Only boxes when creating the attribute for the product.

"Select" will be checked by default, but is not allowed to be added to cart, forcing the customer to choose a real option.

yes, just as gjh42 has mentioned, you need to select the "default" and "display only" as well as the "required" boxes.

I've attached a screenshot of how it should look if you've done it right. Notice the color-coded boxes on the right of each option.

The first option value is the "please select", which will show an error unless the customer chooses a real size option, such as "Small".

gjh42:

Add an Option Value called "Select" or whatever you want for each Option Name, then add "Select" as an attribute and mark the Default and Display Only boxes when creating the attribute for the product.

"Select" will be checked by default, but is not allowed to be added to cart, forcing the customer to choose a real option.

Good Technique :smile: , But how do we implement it using "Radio Buttons" How to force the visitor to select 1 of the 2 "Radio Buttons" ? :dontgetit

Make a 3rd Option Value, such as:
Pick one

with the settings:
Display Only: YES
Default: YES
Sort Order: 0