How to set old() to the dropdown menu ?

Hello,
I'm building form where user can submit some inputs. I check for validation errors and re display the form with error messages and also i use <?=old('filed_name')?> to display old entered data.

Everything works for input box but, i have dropdown box where user cans select gender, But how we can show the old data on this dropdown.

My code (Textbox) :

Code:

<input type="text" name="first_name" value="<?=old('first_name')?>" id="firstName">

My code (Dropdown) : 

PHP Code:

  <select id="defaultSelect" value="<?= old('gender') ?>" name="gender" class="form-select">
                                    <option value="">Select</option>
                                    <option value="Male">Male</option>
                                    <option value="Female">Female</option>

                                </select> 


But this dropdown not working with old selected values.

You will need to use the set_select() form helper. See docs

PS: If you are using any of the form_open() helpers (form_open, form_open_multipart), you do not need to use old(). Use set_value() instead.

You will need to use the set_select() form helper. See docs

PS: If you are using any of the form_open() helpers (form_open, form_open_multipart), you do not need to use old(). Use set_value() instead.

Thanks. I'm using form helper but i tried this , but not working

PHP Code:

<select id="defaultSelect" name="nationality_id" class="form-select">
                                    <option value="">Select</option>

                                    <?php foreach ($nationalities as $nation): ?>
                                        <option value="<?= $nation['id'] ?>" <?= set_select('nationality_id') ?>><?= $nation['name'] ?></option>
                                    <?php endforeach; ?>
                                </select> 


You need to add the value to check for after the field name, like so:

PHP Code:

<option name="<?= $nation['id'] ?>" <?= set_select('nationaility_id', $nation['id']) ?>><?= $nation['name'] ?></option> 


You need to add the value to check for after the field name, like so:

PHP Code:

<option name="<?= $nation['id'] ?>" <?= set_select('nationaility_id', $nation['id']) ?>><?= $nation['name'] ?></option> 


Yes it works

Thank you, I'm learning CI