I have a simple html multi select drop down list:
Are you looking to do something like this http://jsfiddle.net/robert/xhHkG/
$('#transactionType').attr({
'multiple': true,
'size' : 10
});
Put that in a $(function() {...})
or some other onload
Reread your question, you're not really looking for a multiple select... but a dropdown box that allows you to select multiple. Yeah, probably best to use a plugin for that or write it from the ground up, it's not a "quick answer" type deal though.
I was also looking for a simple multi select for my company. I wanted something simple, highly customizable and with no big dependencies others than jQuery.
I didn't found one fitting my needs so I decided to code my own.
I use it in production.
Here's some demos and documentation: loudev.com
If you want to contribute, check the github repository
<select id="mycontrolId" multiple="multiple">
<option value="1" >one</option>
<option value="2" >two</option>
<option value="3">three</option>
<option value="4">four</option>
</select>
var data = "1,3,4"; var dataarray = data.split(",");
$("#mycontrolId").val(dataarray);