Getting selected values in multi select comobo box through PHP

[miteshpandey]

Hi,

I have the following HTML code right now.

<td width="20%"><SELECT NAME="cfg_input_global_report_types" MULTIPLE >
	<OPTION VALUE="BU" >Option1
	<OPTION VALUE="BP" >Option2
	<OPTION VALUE="BC" >Option3
	<OPTION VALUE="BL" >Option4
	<OPTION VALUE="BCC">Option5
	</SELECT></td>

The form is submitted using POST method

I know how to use the $_POST php function to get the "cfg_input_global_report_types" variable

$_POST["cfg_input_global_report_types"]

But I don't know how the selected variables are formatted in the $_POST["cfg_input_global_report_types"] variable. If anybody could show me how the selected values are formated in the above variable it would be great.

Or if this method doesn't work at all or if there is a more easy way, how can I get the selected values in my multiple select combo box.

Thanx in advance.

[PeejAvery]

The code you posted will grab the value of the <SELECT> that is selected at the time of form submission. Are you attempting to get all the <OPTION> tags values? Is so, you can't do it without making a hidden <DIV> and having JavaScript put those in there for you.

$_POST["cfg_input_global_report_types"] 

[miteshpandey]

The code you posted will grab the value of the <SELECT> that is selected at the time of form submission. Are you attempting to get all the <OPTION> tags values?

Hi PeejAvery, I don't need to get all the <OPTION> tag values. I simply want to get the values that is selected by the user at the time of form submission.

With simple select it was not a problem. I can simply use the $_POST with the select's name. But with multiple select there could be several values that maybe selected by the user when submitting the form.

So my question is:

How the multiple selected values will be inside the $_POST["cfg_input_global_report_types"]. Will they be comma separated or will it be an array?

[Dr. Script]

I wouldn't know off hand? But couldn't you just create a simple script and see what the output is ... ?

[miteshpandey]

I wouldn't know off hand? But couldn't you just create a simple script and see what the output is ... ?

Thanx for the suggestion. I will try it. I will echo it.

Till now I have been filling the values directly to my MySQL database, and the corresponding field comes to be empty.

[miteshpandey]

I find this strange:

When I select 3 out of 5 possible values, the echo output of the variable is the last item that has been selected. The count php function returns 1 idicating that it is not an array. Where are the other selected values. How can I get it. Googled the entire net but couldn't find a solution.

[PeejAvery]

Wait, you don't have to do anything if it is a multiple select box. The PHP will process it as an array.

You have to make the <SELECT> an array.

<?php
if(isset($_POST['selectbox'])){
  print_r($_POST['selectbox']);
  exit;
}
?>

<form action="" method="post">
  <select name="selectbox[]" multiple>
    <option value="a">a</option>
    <option value="b">b</option>
    <option value="c">c</option>
    <option value="d">d</option>
    <option value="e">e</option>
    <option value="f">f</option>
    <option value="g">g</option>
    <option value="h">h</option>
    <option value="i">i</option>
    <option value="j">j</option>
    <option value="k">k</option>
  </select>
  <input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>

[miteshpandey]

Splendid! PeejAvery Thanx a lot. Searched the net for at least 2 hours.

[PeejAvery]

You're welcome. I haven't used multiple <select> tags for years. Good luck with the rest!

[nes2rmp]

Set your form variable as array.

<select name="var_name[]">

<option value="1">1</option>
.
.
</select>

<?php
print_r($_post['var_name']);
?>

[PeejAvery]

@nes2rmp. Please read the whole thread before posting. The answer has already been provided and the problem solved. We don't want to flood the forum with useless posts.

[nes2rmp]

Thanks for the concern.