diff --git a/src/autocomplete.ts b/src/autocomplete.ts
index 56619e76aa..4657b0320c 100644
--- a/src/autocomplete.ts
+++ b/src/autocomplete.ts
@@ -524,6 +524,7 @@ export class Autocomplete extends Component<AutocompleteOptions> {
 
   /**
    * Sets selected values.
+   * @deprecated @see https://github.com/materializecss/materialize/issues/552
    * @param entries
    */
   setValues(entries: AutocompleteData[]) {
@@ -564,4 +565,13 @@ export class Autocomplete extends Component<AutocompleteOptions> {
     this._updateSelectedInfo();
     this._triggerChanged();
   }
+
+  selectOptions(ids: []) {
+    const entries = this.menuItems.filter(
+      (item) => !(ids.indexOf(<never>item.id) === -1)
+    );
+    if (!entries) return;
+    this.selectedValues = entries;
+    this._renderDropdown();
+  }
 }