[RESOLVED] Updateable multiple select; data from 3 columns

grumpy

Hello-
I'm trying to setup an updateable form which uses a multiple select which pulls data from three columns (area1, area2 and area3 in the code below) and displays the current data as selected and allows the user to update. But I can't get it to work. My code, below, only returns the first of the 3 possible options. What am I doing wrong or is ther a better way to do this? Thanks

BEGIN CODE:

<option value="northeast"
<?php If (!(strcmp("northeast", $row['area1'])) || !(strcmp("northeast", $row['area2'])) || !(strcmp("northeast", $row['area3']))){echo "selected";} ?>>Northeast</option>

<option value="southeast" <?php If (!(strcmp("southeast", $row['area1'])) || !(strcmp("southeast", $row['area2'])) || !(strcmp("southeast", $row['area3']))){echo "selected";} ?>>Southeast</option>

<option value="northcentral" <?php If (!(strcmp("northcentral", $row['area1'])) || !(strcmp("northcentral", $row['area2'])) || !(strcmp("northcentral", $row['area3']))){echo "selected";} ?>>Northcentral </option>

<option value="southcentral"<?php If (!(strcmp("southcentral", $row['area1'])) || !(strcmp("southcentral", $row['area2'])) || !(strcmp("southcentral", $row['area3']))){echo "selected";} ?>>Southcentral</option>

<option value="northwest"<?php If (!(strcmp("northwest", $row['area1'])) || !(strcmp("northwest", $row['area2'])) || !(strcmp("northwest", $row['area3']))){echo "selected";} ?>>Northwest</option>

<option value="southwest"<?php If (!(strcmp("southwest", $row['area1'])) || !(strcmp("southwest", $row['area2'])) || !(strcmp("southwest", $row['area3']))){echo "selected";} ?>>Southwest</option>

</select>

END CODE

djjjozsi

You should build an array with all the options:
check the index names, its just a quick example..

  $aarea = array(
    0=>"select one",
    "northeast"=>"Northeast",
    "southeast"=>"Northcentral",
    "northcentral"=>"Southcentral",
    "northwest"=>"Northwest",
    "southwest"=>"Southwest");

Now print the options inside your while cycle:

  <select id="area" name="area[]" size="5" border="0" multiple>
<?php
$cleanarea=array( $row['area1'] , $row['area2'] , $row['area3']);

foreach ($aarea as $key => $value) {
  $selected = (in_array($key  , $cleanarea )) ? 'selected = "selected"': '';
?>
      <option <?php echo $selected; ?> value="<?php echo $key; ?>"><?php echo $value; ?></option>
<?php
    }
?>
  </select><br/>

grumpy

Thanks for your response. I've loaded your code, but there is a problem. Now, the words "select one" is selected and one of the areas is selected in the drop-down, instead of the the multiple correct areas being selected. Any idea whats happening?

djjjozsi

its normal i think. of course you can remove the first element from the $aarea array, then try this version, were the first element has a value which is not a frequently occurrence.

 $aarea = array(
    -1=>"",
    "northeast"=>"Northeast",
    "southeast"=>"Northcentral",
    "northcentral"=>"Southcentral",
    "northwest"=>"Northwest",
    "southwest"=>"Southwest");

grumpy

Oops, I'm so sorry. I made a typo when I copied your code. Its working correctly. Thank you so much. I'll close the thread. Thanks again.

djjjozsi

Your welcome.