Wordpress php undefined index with form posting to db

Question

I am building a very small form for a wordpress widget. The form is just a drop down select input that allows users to select their business type - this is then stored in the wp_usermeta table in the database.

The dropdown is actually selected on registration, so this form is more of an opportunity for users to change the value.

Here is the php I am using to create the form:

<?php 
$user = wp_get_current_user();        
$selected = get_user_meta( $user->ID, 'i_am_a', true ); 
?>

<form method="post">        
<h3>I am a...</h3>
        <select name="i_am_a" id="i_am_a">
            <option value="musician" autocomplete="off" <?php echo ($selected == "musician")?  'selected="selected"' : '' ?>>Musician/Artist</option>
            <option value="band" autocomplete="off" <?php echo ($selected == "band")?  'selected="selected"' : '' ?>>Band</option>
            <option value="photographer" autocomplete="off" <?php echo ($selected == "photographer")?  'selected="selected"' : '' ?>>Photographer</option>
            <option value="business" autocomplete="off" <?php echo ($selected == "business")?  'selected="selected"' : '' ?>>Small Business</option>
            <option value="other" autocomplete="off" <?php echo ($selected == "other")?  'selected="selected"' : '' ?>>Other</option>
        </select>
<input type="submit" name="submit" value="change" class="button"/>

</form>
<?php
    $i_am_a = $_POST['i_am_a'];
    update_user_meta( $user->ID, 'i_am_a', $i_am_a );
?>

Notice: Undefined index: i_am_a in /home/.../layers-whitelabel.php on line 90

Line 90 is as follows:

$i_am_a = $_POST['i_am_a'];

How can I get rid of this error?

Since this form has no action, I assume that if you submit the error is gone, right? If so, think about it, you are trying to use $_POST on a form that is yet to be sent, hence, undefined for that key... — FirstOne
– FirstOne, Commented Dec 27, 2015 at 23:26
Possible duplicate of PHP: "Notice: Undefined variable" and "Notice: Undefined index" — FirstOne
– FirstOne, Commented Dec 27, 2015 at 23:27
@FirstOne yes once submitted the error goes. I added action="" to the form but still show the error. — Sam Skirrow
– Sam Skirrow, Commented Dec 27, 2015 at 23:28

Pradeep Sambandam · Accepted Answer · 2015-12-27 23:29:30Z

1

Declare your variables. Or use isset() to check if they are declared before referencing them, as in:

$i_am_a = isset($_POST['i_am_a']) ? $_POST['i_am_a'] : '';

answered Dec 27, 2015 at 23:29

Pradeep Sambandam

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3 Comments

Sam Skirrow Over a year ago

Perfect, just what I needed. I actually find that when the page reloads after submitting, the selected option isn't correct - do I need to use isset in my options too?

wuno Over a year ago

What do you mean the selected option is not correct?

Pradeep Sambandam Over a year ago

You should move the last two lines above the $selected variable line. Because you are trying to get the updated meta value, before it is being updated.

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 11:59:05Z

0

try this,

  $i_am_a = isset($_POST['i_am_a']) ? $i_am_a = $_POST['i_am_a'] : 0;

Please see this answer for the explanation of using 0 to check.

edited May 23, 2017 at 11:59

CommunityBot

11 silver badge

answered Dec 27, 2015 at 23:33

wuno

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1 Comment

Brian Vanderbusch Over a year ago

This answer was flagged, but I voted to keep it, however, I recommend that you add a bit of a description about what your answer is doing. (It might not be so obvious to people who might find this question useful.)

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