Help: Select box- "selected", populate from table

[grumpy]

Hello-
I have a select drop down box on a form which is populated from a table. The table,categories, only holds the options for the select field. It works fine to submit the information, but I want the user to be able to return to the form and see the drop-down box with their previous choice highlighted (selected). That is, they will see what selection was stored in a table (not the table that stores the options for the select field) and be able to update their selection. But I can't figure out how to do it. Below is my code. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks very much.

<?php

//code that populates the select field

$sql = "SELECT * FROM categories ORDER BY cats ASC";
// execute SQL query and get result
$result = mysql_query($sql);
// put data into drop-down list box
while ($row = mysql_fetch_array($result)) {
$i = $row["cats"];
$option_block_cats .= "<OPTION value=\"$i\" selected>$i</OPTION>";
}

<form action="do_form.php" method="POST">

//the select drop down box

echo("<p>If you wish, update the Employment Category that you are looking to work in. <br>
<SELECT name=categories size=4>
$option_block_cats .
</SELECT>

<input type=submit name=SUBMIT value=SUBMIT>

?>

[matt_4013]

Try this, it should work. If you need it explained, gimme a yell 🙂

	// put data into drop-down list box 
	while ($row = mysql_fetch_array($result)) { 

	$i = $row["cats"]; 
	$option_block_cats .= "<OPTION value=\"$i\"";

	// If posted value is the same as the value being populated, select it, else don't select!
	if($_POST['categories'] == $i) {
		$option_block_cats .= " selected>";
	} else {
		$option_block_cats .= ">";
	}

	$option_block_cats .= "$i</OPTION>";
} 

[matt_4013]

Whoops, didn't read it properly, sorry, that will select what has been posted. If you want to select what is in the database, just replace $_POST['categories'] with a variable containing a result from the query you use to get the details. (ie, you'll need 2 queries, 1 for the category list, 1 for the users selections).

[grumpy]

Thank you very much. It works great!