# Replace dashes in empty drop down item (ModelChoiceField)

**URL:** <https://forum.djangoproject.com/t/replace-dashes-in-empty-drop-down-item-modelchoicefield/17997>\
**Category:** Templates & Frontend\
**Created:** [January 5, 2023, 6:10am UTC](https://forum.djangoproject.com/t/replace-dashes-in-empty-drop-down-item-modelchoicefield/17997 "2023-01-05T06:10:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jason](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/forum.djangoproject.com/jason/32/5523_2.png) [@Jason](https://forum.djangoproject.com/u/Jason)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2023, 6:10am UTC](https://forum.djangoproject.com/t/replace-dashes-in-empty-drop-down-item-modelchoicefield/17997/1 "2023-01-05T06:10:32Z")

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Hello! I’m still pretty new to Django, and would like to replace the default “-------” in a ModelChoiceField in a ModelForm. The docs state I need to set the `empty_label` attribute.

> **[Django](https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/4.0/ref/forms/fields/#modelchoicefield)**
>
> The web framework for perfectionists with deadlines.

However, I’m having trouble figuring out how to write the required queryset argument. Here is my code so far…

**Model**

```python
class InternalExternal(models.TextChoices):
    INTERNAL = "internal"
    EXTERNAL = "external"

class Clients(models.Model):
    internal_external = models.CharField(
        "internal/external group",
        choices=InternalExternal.choices,
        help_text="A group is either internal or external to your organization",
        max_length=25,
    )

```

**Model Form**

```python
class FooCreateForm(ModelForm):
    internal_external = ModelChoiceField(queryset=Clients.objects.???, empty_label="select a value")
    class Meta:
        fields = ("internal_external")
        model = Clients

```

I’ve tried numerous things, but I can’t figure out what to plug in as a queryset to (essentially) provide the contents of my `InternalExternal` class. I’m very new to Querysets, and the surface area of the AP is rather immense!

Additionally, is there a good (clean) way to replace the “-----” items for all the ModelChoiceFields in my project (an override of some sort)? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![KenWhitesell](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/forum.djangoproject.com/kenwhitesell/32/280_2.png) [@KenWhitesell](https://forum.djangoproject.com/u/KenWhitesell)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2023, 3:52pm UTC](https://forum.djangoproject.com/t/replace-dashes-in-empty-drop-down-item-modelchoicefield/17997/2 "2023-01-05T15:52:38Z")

</div>

Selecting from a TextChoices class is _not_ a ModelChoiceField. That field is used when you’re trying to set a foreign key value to the instance of a class.

See the example at [enumeration types](https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/4.1/ref/models/fields/#enumeration-types) for an example of how a TextChoices class is used.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jason](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/forum.djangoproject.com/jason/32/5523_2.png) [@Jason](https://forum.djangoproject.com/u/Jason)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://forum.djangoproject.com/t/replace-dashes-in-empty-drop-down-item-modelchoicefield/17997/3 "2023-01-06T15:50:36Z")

</div>

Thank you for your very helpful and kindly answer. We’re all very grateful for your time and expertise on these forums! I feel rather silly after reading your response. I read over the documentation for the ModelChoicesField many times, but somehow overlooked the bit about it being only for queries (foreign keys, etc.)