Displaying boolean values from database in the view with Rails

Question

So I've got this table on my database full of boolean values and I want to be able to display them in one of my views, but not as a simple "true" or "false" string, which is the default. I am new to Rails so I don't know what to do here. Ideally I would have it displayed as a checkbox that the user cannot edit (because this is for my show view), if that's possible. But really I am open to anything that's not the default. Any ideas?

have you tried this check_box_tag 'Your-column-nane', disabled: true — Amit Sharma
– Amit Sharma, Commented May 26, 2015 at 18:41

Elvn · Accepted Answer · 2015-05-26 20:41:23Z

4

This can be achieved by using a helper. The first argument after the "?" is the true case; the false case follows the ":".

The example below uses glyphicons, since you mentioned wanting a check mark, but you could insert "Yes" and "No" or any string or html you desire.

def bool_to_glyph(value)
      value ? "<span class='glyphicon glyphicon-ok' aria-hidden='true'></span>".html_safe : "<span class='glyphicon glyphicon-remove' aria-hidden='true'></span>".html_safe"
end

To display the result, invoke in your view as

<%= bool_to_glyph(table_boolean_value) %>

Note: For a simple string display, like "yes" and "no" you do not need to invoke html_safe.

value ? "yes" : "no"

Edited: Helper methods

Helper methods are included under app/helpers/[modelnameplural]_helper.rb

module ExamplesHelper

def bool_to_glyph(value)
      value ? "<span class='glyphicon glyphicon-ok' aria-hidden='true'></span>".html_safe : "<span class='glyphicon glyphicon-remove' aria-hidden='true'></span>".html_safe"
end

end

If you want the helper to be available to all controllers, add the method to the application_helper.rb.

edited May 26, 2015 at 20:41

answered May 26, 2015 at 18:54

Elvn

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2 Comments

MarcioPorto Over a year ago

Thanks for your help! Now where would I add a helper method? Does it go inside a controller or somewhere specific?

MarcioPorto Over a year ago

I just figured it out actually! Thanks again!

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