Using text-area ???

[habbardone]

Hi

I am using a text-area in a form to capture data like this:

<textarea rows = 10 cols = 50 name='x_desc_lng' />
<?php echo $N_desc_lng ?></textarea>

I then collect the data with :

N_desc_lng = strip_tags(trim($_POST["x_desc_lng"]));
I used this to protect my website from possible sabatage.

And then I write it to my mysql db.

However I am losing the formating. (the line feeds and extra spaces)

If someone types in:

---

Hello there
how are you ?

I am feeling good today!

When I get it back from the mysql dbase and display it I get ;

Hello there how are you ? I am feeling good today!

Itried getting rid of the trim and strip_tags by doing this:

$N_desc_lng = $_POST["x_desc_lng"];

but i still get the squashed up version.

Does anyone know how I can keep the format in my text areas ? It must be possible
because this bb is doing it !

many thanks
David

[laserlight]

trim(), strip_tags(), then [man]nl2br/man.

[habbardone]

Hi,

Do you mean I should write:

N_desc_lng =
nl2br(trim(strip_tags ($_POST["x_desc_lng"])));

This is when I oick up the data from the form - is that right ?

Thanks.

[halojoy]

I should use
nl2br(striptags(trim($text
= first trim, remove leading and trailing spaces,
then striptags
and last the

nl2br = newline feeds to <br>

I think that is what laserlight recommends