Blank entries in a DropDownList using an IList as a dataProvider

I'm dynamically creating an IList to use as a dataprovider for a DropDownList in Flex.

The code is creating the IList correctly, and I can access the data inside just fine.

However, when I set the dataprovider for my DropDownList, it only shows b开发者_JS百科lank entries for each item in the list.

So, if I had 30 items in my IList, I will have 30 blank spots in my dropdown.

Here's the code I'm using.

categoryXML = new XML(loader.data);

for each(var category in categoryXML.category) {
    categoryArr.addItem(category.name);
}

categoryList = categoryArr;
cats2.dataProvider = categoryList;

What could cause this? I can't seem to find anything via Google.

It's hard to tell without looking at your actual data. But, it appears you are creating an array of Strings. I have no idea how a Spark list handles simple values.

You might try something like this:

for each(var category in categoryXML.category) {
    var newObject : Object = new Object();
    newObject.label = category.name;
    categoryArr.addItem(newObject.);
}

However, if category.name is a complex XML object, then you'll probably need to create a labelFunction. Something like this:

public myLabelFunction(item:Object):String{
  return item.valueToDisplay;
}

And set it on the list like this:

myList.labelFunction = myLabelFunction;