How to use HTML and PHP to create a multi-form search function with only one submit button?

Question

Following on from a recent post.

I am creating a search function that queries a SQL database. The database consists of different types of meat packaging. I have created HTML & PHP code that will search the database and display results using only one form and submit button. But I now want to create a search box that has multiple forms (including three dropdown ones), that when users type in sizes, click a dropdown and type in a id code, they can submit using one submit button and then will be referred to a page that consists of the results that match all three combined.

Can anyone give me some insight about how to go about this? I have tried creating two forms that submit to the same PHP page for results, but one seems to override the other.

Here is my HTML and PHP code currently:

    <body>

    <form action="form2.php" method="post"> 
              Search: <input type="text" name="term" /><br />
    <input type="submit" value="Submit" /> 
    </form> 


</body>

And the PHP code:

   <body>


   <?php
    $con = mysql_connect ("localhost", "root", "");
    mysql_select_db ("delyn_db", $con);

  if (!$con)
    { 
    die ("Could not connect: " . mysql_error());
    }


$term = mysql_real_escape_string($_REQUEST['term']);    

     $sql = "SELECT * FROM delyn WHERE toolcode LIKE '%".$term."%' OR trayheight LIKE
     '%".$term."%' OR delyncode LIKE '%".$term."%' OR description LIKE '%".$term."%' 
      OR trayshape LIKE '%".$term."%' OR traydepth LIKE '%".$term."%' OR traywidth
     LIKE '%".$term."%'";
     $r_query = mysql_query($sql);

if(!$sql)
    {
        echo "could not find";
    }

       while ($row = mysql_fetch_array($r_query)){ 
       echo 'ID: ' .$row['ID']; 
       echo '<br /> Delyn code: ' .$row['delyncode']; 
       echo '<br /> Tool Code: '.$row['toolcode'];
       echo '<br /> Description: '.$row['description']; 
       echo '<br /> Tray range '.$row['trayrange']; 
       echo '<br /> Tray type: '.$row['traytype'];
       echo '<br /> Tray size: '.$row['traysize']; 
       echo '<br /> Tray height: '.$row['trayheight']; 
       echo '<br /> Tray width: '.$row['traywidth']; 
       echo '<br /> Tray depth: '.$row['traydepth'];
       echo '<br /> Tray shape: '.$row['trayshape'];  
       echo '<br /> imagename: '.$row['imagename'];
       echo '<br /> Tray live: '.$row['traylive'] . ' <br /><br />';  
    }


?>

    </body>

Thanks in advance :)

Edited php:

  <body>

    <?php
$con = mysql_connect ("localhost", "root", "");
mysql_select_db ("delyn_db", $con);

if (!$con)
    { 
    die ("Could not connect: " . mysql_error());
    }

if(isset($_POST['formSubmit']) )
{
    $varType = $_POST['traytype'];
}

$term = mysql_real_escape_string($_POST['term']);    
$sql = "SELECT * FROM delyn WHERE traytype LIKE '%".$varType."%'";


$r_query = mysql_query($sql);


while ($row = mysql_fetch_array($r_query)){ 
echo 'ID: ' .$row['ID']; 
echo '<br /> Delyn code: ' .$row['delyncode']; 
echo '<br /> Tool Code: '.$row['toolcode'];
echo '<br /> Description: '.$row['description']; 
echo '<br /> Tray range '.$row['trayrange']; 
echo '<br /> Tray type: '.$row['traytype'];
echo '<br /> Tray size: '.$row['traysize']; 
echo '<br /> Tray height: '.$row['trayheight']; 
echo '<br /> Tray width: '.$row['traywidth']; 
echo '<br /> Tray depth: '.$row['traydepth'];
echo '<br /> Tray shape: '.$row['trayshape'];  
echo '<br /> imagename: '.$row['imagename'];
echo '<br /> Tray live: '.$row['traylive'] . ' <br /><br />';  
    }


?>
  </body>

what error do you get? Why do you use $_REQUEST and not $_POST['term'] ? — Rob
– Rob, Commented Oct 8, 2012 at 9:59
I don't get an error (either post or request work), just one form box seems to override the other. I want to create a search form that can take the values of all inputted to search the database. — LiamHorizon
– LiamHorizon, Commented Oct 8, 2012 at 10:02
Well, then I don't understand the 2nd form you're referring too. I'm not seeing 2 formboxes. — Rob
– Rob, Commented Oct 8, 2012 at 10:04

score 2 · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-08 13:18:23Z

2

Why don't you use multiple inputs on the same form? Something like this:

<form action="form2.php" method="post"> 
          Search: <input type="text" name="term" /><br />
          Sizes: <input type="text" name="sizes" /><br />
          Select an option: <select name="dropdownselection" ><option...</option></select><br />
          ID Code: <input type="text" name="id" /><br />
<input type="submit" value="Submit" /> 
</form>

Then you can access the values in the same way you accessed value entered for the search term. Note: you should use label tags for your labels, and use a list to layout your form.

EDIT: An option tag looks like this:

<option value="what is posted to the script">What is seen by the user</option>

EDIT: Please remove the condition surrounding the $vartype variable assignment

EDIT: Use and, not or, in your sql query, since you need both conditions to be true. If you have further questions, please open a new question, since this one is somewhat cluttered. Finally, if you feel this answer has helped you please consider accepting it.

edited Oct 8, 2012 at 13:18

answered Oct 8, 2012 at 10:04

user1726343

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13 Comments

LiamHorizon Over a year ago

I seem to have a bug with the dropdownbox, it doesn't return the results that are specific to the search. It just displays all of the database results.

LiamHorizon Over a year ago

Code: '<body> <form action="form2.php" method="post"> <label for ='toolcode'>Search toolcode: </label> <input type="text" name="term"/><br /> <label for ="trayshape">Search trayshape: </label> <input type="text" name="term" /><br /> <label for ="traytype"> Click traytype: </label> <select name="dropdownselection" > <option>Rectangular</option> <option>Square</option> <option>Oval</option></select><br /> <input type="submit" value="Submit" /> </form>'

LiamHorizon Over a year ago

Like this? <form action="form2.php" method="post"> <label for ="traytype"> Click traytype: </label> <select name="dropdownselection" > <option>Choose a type</option> <option value="open">Open</option> <option value="cavitised">Cavitised</option> </select><br /> <input type="submit" value="Submit" /> </form>

user1726343 Over a year ago

yes, that should work, although your select name should be "traytype".

LiamHorizon Over a year ago

i just can't get it working. It just displays all of the database contents. Maybe a problem with the PHP?

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