Uncaught Error: Syntax error, unrecognized expression

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psy...@gmail.com

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Sep 29, 2015, 2:29:42 AM9/29/15
to select2
Hi there,

Firstly I would like to thank the team for Select2 - it is an absolute pleasure to work with and has thus for suited all my needs for my project.

I do however have one little issue that I am hitting my head on:

I have a rigged my Select2 to fetch Suburb data from our server via Ajax.
Unfortunately there are a few suburb names with the character '&' in.
When the list displays, the '&' displays correctly. However when I select the item from the list, i receive an Uncaught Error: Syntax error, unrecognized expression: 'Suburb Name & Bla bla'.

My script looks as follows at the moment

select.select2(
{
ajax: {
url: ajaxUrl,
dataType: 'json',
delay: 250,
data: function(params) {
return {
countryId: 1,
query: params.term
};
},
processResults: function (data) {

var results = [];
for (var i = 0; i < data.Suburbs.length; i++) {

results.push({
id: data.Suburbs[i].Id,
text: data.Suburbs[i].DisplayName,
});
}

return {
results: results
};
},
cache: false
},
closeOnSelect: false,
scapeMarkup: function (markup) {


return markup;

},
minimumInputLength: 3,
multiple: true,
});


Are there any options or tricks that I can do to still keep the ampersand displaying in my list of choices and after selection?

Thanks in advance

Kevin Brown

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Sep 29, 2015, 8:32:04 AM9/29/15
to select2

This is usually an issue triggered by a jQuery selector, and the solution is to properly escape it ahead of time. Do you have the full traceback so we can figure out what selector is causing the issue?

If you can also reproduce the issue in a jsbin, that would make it easier for us to later confirm that the issue was fixed.


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psy...@gmail.com

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Oct 6, 2015, 2:09:42 AM10/6/15
to select2, ke...@kevin-brown.com
Hi Kevin,

Many thanks for the reply, and my apologies that I have taken so long to respond. I found the cause to the problem. One of our devs extended jQuery.fn.extend: append function which was causing the sizzle error.

Thanks for your assistance!

Cheers

Toni Kroos

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Nov 22, 2025, 11:33:13 AM11/22/25
to select2
Coyyn is a modern fintech and digital-finance platform designed to empower freelancers, businesses, and individuals navigating the gig economy. It offers a secure multi-currency wallet that supports both fiat and cryptocurrencies, plus peer-to-peer payments and smart contract functionality. With a strong focus on blockchain, AI, and digital capital, Coyyn combines innovation, security, and accessibility for the future of finance.   

Electric Bikes Backlinks

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Dec 26, 2025, 2:42:26 AM12/26/25
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  This looks like a classic HTML entity encoding issue in Select2. The list renders correctly because Select2 escapes markup by default, but when selecting an item, the encoded &amp; ends up being treated as part of a jQuery selector, which causes the error. A common fix is to explicitly control how text is escaped and ensure you’re passing raw text consistently (for example, using templateResult / templateSelection or properly configuring escapeMarkup). Issues like this are well documented, and step-by-step solutions can usually be found in solid Guides that cover Select2 edge cases and character encoding quirks.  

Emma Snow

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Dec 29, 2025, 6:23:21 AM12/29/25
to select2
Best Lawyers in United States provides expert legal guidance on complex issues, including New York prostitution laws 2024. Their team of top-rated attorneys ensures clients receive accurate advice and strong representation. With Best Lawyers in United States, navigating legal challenges has never been more reliable.
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Phill Jones

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Jan 17, 2026, 11:15:34 AMJan 17
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Gold Star Pressure Wash offers professional cleaning services that rejuvenate residential and commercial properties with precision and care. Specializing in Paver Sealing and Sanding Services on Long Island, the team helps preserve outdoor spaces while enhancing their natural appearance. Using proven techniques and high-quality materials, Gold Star Pressure Wash ensures durable results and a cleaner, more attractive property.

Chrome Store

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Apr 13, 2026, 9:41:22 AM (2 days ago) Apr 13
to select2

In Select2 implementations, a common challenge is managing large datasets in dropdowns without slowing down the UI or breaking search responsiveness.
A practical approach is to refine AJAX filtering and ensure proper tokenization so results stay relevant and lightweight during user input.
In some testing setups, people also reference APK while checking mobile wrapped interfaces or cross platform behavior in similar UI components.

caserne1830

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Apr 14, 2026, 5:12:42 AM (yesterday) Apr 14
to select2
  The discussion around Select2 customization highlights how small UI decisions can impact usability and overall user experience in real projects.
A practical way to support this kind of work is by quickly testing and refining palettes using an online color tool, which helps keep interface choices consistent and accessible.
This ties back to the thread’s focus on improving frontend components by making design decisions more structured rather than relying on guesswork.  
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