Topic: Multi-selection form elements

OK...If I create a form in a HTML page, and I put a SELECT element on it like this:

<SELECT multiple name="x">

when you select multiple parts, how are the seperate selections stored? When I exho them out in the PHP script I have processing the form I only get the last one in the list that was selected. Does it store it in a javascript array or something?

Hi Skaarjj

The various elements that are selected by a user will be separated by commas (e.g. "option1,option2,option3,option4"). So you need to use a function or piece of script to separate the items that have been chosen... OR use one of the in-built functions that are in languages like ASP and PHP to separate the elements chosen into an array.

Bear in mind, however, that if you have text elements in your select list, then you may in a worst-case scenario already have a comma in any of the items that are listed. So the easiest way to separate the chosen items is to store VALUEs against the various items, and read those back into your PHP script, as follows (ignore the spelling which is purposefully wrong for the sake of the example):

<SELECT MULTIPLE NAME='city'>
<OPTION VALUE=1>Rio d,Janeiro</OPTION>
<OPTION VALUE=2>Brasilia</OPTION>
<OPTION VALUE=3>Paris</OPTION>
<OPTION VALUE=4>Bonn</OPTION>
</SELECT>

Now if a user selects two of the options, e.g. Brasilia and Bonn, then the value coming back into your PHP script should read as "2,4"



If you haven't reached the end of the road and you're not at the start then you must be somewhere in the middle

Or...

(name the select city[] )

<SELECT MULTIPLE NAME='city[]'>

<OPTION VALUE=1>Rio d,Janeiro</OPTION> (selected)

<OPTION VALUE=2>Brasilia</OPTION>

<OPTION VALUE=3>Paris</OPTION> (selected)

<OPTION VALUE=4>Bonn</OPTION>

</SELECT>

This can be accessed in PHP in the array that now exists by the name: "$_POST['city']" (or $_GET['city'] whichever method you use in your form)
Like this:
$_POST['city'][0] = "1";
$_POST['city'][1] = "3";


/Dan




{cell 260}
-{ a vibration is a movement that doesn't know which way to go }-

And, the XHTML way to write that would be

<select multiple="multiple" name="city[]">
<option value="1">rio d,janeiro</option>
<option value="2">brasilia</option>
<option value="3">paris</option>
<option value="4">bonn</option>
</select>

(just trying to be a pain in the ass)

Yeah, I know (cut'n paste)
Annoying is good as long as it's correct...
:P
/Dan

{cell 260}
-{ a vibration is a movement that doesn't know which way to go }-