[Resolved] Blank fields...

mscreashuns

Okay, I've searched for this and have found some posts, but I just don't understand how to do it. I would copy and paste the code, but I don't understand what I need to change to make it work for my form.

I hope no one becomes annoyed by me, but here's my problem.

I have a form where people can write (well, type) comments about my new machinima series on my website, and when they push submit, it adds the information to a MYSQL table and displays all of them on a page. It's much like a forum, but a lot simpler.

Here's the link to the form:

http://mscreashuns.savefile.com/summerbreeze/users/insert_comment.html

and here's the page it will take you to and where the comments will be displayed:

http://mscreashuns.savefile.com/summerbreeze/discuss.php

I don't mind if you post test comments if that's what's needed to help me.

I've got it to work where it will display all of the comments and everything, but it keeps sending blank forms through. How can I prevent a form with any fields left blank from being added.

I have the following fields:

Name (text) name="name"
Email "" name="email"
URL "" name="url"
Comments (textarea) name="comments"

All of them except the URL field need to be required. If they are all filled in, I want it to add it to the table, which I know how to do. Also, if anyone knows how to make it check for an email format, could you add that too?

Thanks ahead of time for putting up with me and sorry for the long post.

(By the way, the emails aren't displayed, they are just kept for records in case of a nasty post so I can contact the flamer or disallow them from submitting comments)

bradgrafelman

if ($_POST['fieldName'] == "" || $_POST['fieldName2'] == "") {
    echo 'There was an error in the data you submitted. Please go back and fill in all the required fields.';
    die();
}

There's a simple way to do it.

mscreashuns

I thought about that, but I want them to be able to view the page without an error.

With that code, if they go to the "discuss.php" page directly, it displays the error. Is there any way to stop that.

Look at this page to see what I mean. The comments are posted, but at the bottom of the page, you see the error in red.

http://mscreashuns.savefile.com/summerbreeze/discuss.php

bradgrafelman

Well, if they had truly submitted a form, the "Submit" button wouldn't be empty, so make sure that the submit button actually has a value, meaning they submitted the form instead of just navigating to the page.

mscreashuns

The value of the submit button is "Submit".

I want them to be able to see the page even if they don't post anything.

bradgrafelman

Right, you would just output the error if the submit element had data, but another required field didn't.

Just add another expression into the if statement that checks for blank fields. If you can't get it, let me know and I'll help you out.

mscreashuns

Okay, I think I understand what you're saying now. I wasn't thinking earlier. :p

I'll try what I'm thinking and get back with you. 😃

mscreashuns

Thank you SOOOOO much! I finally figured it out!

In case anyone else happens to have this problem, what you need to do is add in a if($submit == "") { } and put in what you want to happen if someone comes to your site but doesn't fill out the form.

Thank you again! You were a huge help!