How do I put a space character before option text in a HTML select element?

Serhat Ozgel picture Serhat Ozgel · Aug 25, 2008 · Viewed 74.6k times · Source

In a drop down list, I need to add spaces in front of the options in the list. I am trying

<select>
<option>&#32;&#32;Sample</option>
</select>

for adding two spaces but it displays no spaces. How can I add spaces before option texts?

Answer

Rob Cooper picture Rob Cooper · Aug 25, 2008

Isn't &#160 the entity for space?

<select>
<option>&#160;option 1</option>
<option>    option 2</option>
</select>

Works for me...

EDIT:

Just checked this out, there may be compatibility issues with this in older browsers, but all seems to work fine for me here. Just thought I should let you know as you may want to replace with &nbsp;