[RESOLVED] saving values from Checkbox to database

robin01

Hello,

Checkbox problem. Trying to save the selection or selectinos user would make to a database.
table columns: desk, computer, whiteboard, chair, phone.

As you can see from the code below the users have 5 choices.

Here's the problem, i can't seem to wrap my head round how to save the data if a user happens to
pick just 2 maybe 3 items from the list of options and turn round and save the data under there respective columns in the table.
example, if the user selects computer and a chair, i like to update the computer and the chair columns in the table.

any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

note: connection to the database are working.

<?php
if($_POST["button"] == "button")
	$office = $_POST['office'];

//$insert1 = "INSERT INTO test_location (desk,computer,whiteboard,chair, phone) VALUES(???);		
?>
<html>
<body>
<h2> what do you need for your office: </h2>
<form name="checkbox" action="<?php echo $_SERVER['PHP_SELF']; ?>" method="POST">
	<input type="checkbox" name="office[]" value="desk"> Desk
	<input type="checkbox" name="office[]" value="computer"> Computer
	<input type="checkbox" name="office[]" value="whiteboard"> whiteboard
	<input type="checkbox" name="office[]" value="chair"> Chair
	<input type="checkbox" name="office[]" value="phone"> Phone
	<br>
	<input type="submit" value="Submit" name="button">
</form>
</body>
</html>

Emma

Well the values you place in the database will depend on what type you created them as. I'll assume they're a boolean.
So loop through the $_POST['office'] and see what values you get back, then do one insert each loop. For example "INSERT INTO test_location ('$postValue') VALUE (1);"

anakadote

Assuming that the referenced columns are unsigned tinyint(1) with a default value of 0, you can assign a value of 1 or 0 depending on if the user selected or did not select an option, respectively.

<?php

// Your database columns
$columns = array('desk', 'computer', 'whiteboard', 'chair', 'phone');

// Process submitted form data
if(isset($_POST['button'])){
   $office = $_POST['office'];
   $values = array();

   // Loop through each column and test if the value exists in the $office array (checkbox was checked)
   foreach($columns as $column){

  if(in_array($column, $office)){
     $values[ $column ] = 1;
  } else {
     $values[ $column ] = 0;
  }
   }

  $insert1 = "INSERT INTO test_location (`desk`, `computer`, `whiteboard`, `chair`, `phone`) VALUES ({$values['desk']}, {$values['computer']}, {$values['whiteboard']}, {$values['chair']}, {$values['phone']})";

}

?>

robin01

Hi guys,

Thanks for the help.

I got the script working and its awesome.

Thanks again..

question.. is there a better way of coding this or is this the best way?