Rails3 jquery autocomplete distinct values

Question

Is it possible to select DISTINCT values using Rails3 JQuery autocomplete gem?

Answer 1

It is much better and simpler to use scopes.

In your model:

scope :uniquely_named, group(:name)

In your controller:

autocomplete :user, :name, :scopes => [:uniquely_named]

This solution allows more complex filtering to be easily applied:

model:

scope :uniquely_named, group(:name)
scope :online, where(:online => true)

controller:

autocomplete :user, :name, :scopes => [:uniquely_named, :online]

source

Answer 2

Doesn't appear to - but - the 'autocomplete' macro is really just defining an action in your controller. I'd forego using 'autocomplete' in my controller and just implement the action myself...

def autocomplete_for_user_name
   User.select('distinct name')
end

Good luck.