CodeIgniter - Adding a default value to a form_dropdown

Question

I'm wondering if someone can help me out. I have a form_dropdown which I'm filling with options from the database. I want to add a default "Please Select" value at the top of the list, but can't figure out how to do it without adding that to the database.

My code is as follows:

function populatedropdown()
{
    $query = $this->db->query('SELECT * FROM '.$this->table_name.' WHERE active=1 ORDER BY brand');
    $dropdowns = $query->result();

    foreach($dropdowns as $dropdown) {
        $dropDownList[$dropdown->brand] = $dropdown->brand;
    }
    $finalDropDown = $dropDownList;

    return $finalDropDown;
}

Jakub · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-16 21:23:32Z

11

Another way to write it would be:

function populatedropdown()
{
    $query = $this->db->query('SELECT * FROM '.$this->table_name.' WHERE active=1 ORDER BY brand');

    if ($query->num_rows() > 0) {
        $dropdowns = $query->result();

        $dropDownList[''] = 'Please Select';    // default selection item
        foreach($dropdowns as $dropdown) {
            $dropDownList[$dropdown->brand] = $dropdown->brand;
        }

        return $dropDownList;
    } else {
        return false;       // return false if no items for dropdown
    }
}

answered Jan 16, 2012 at 21:23

Jakub

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3 Comments

No Results Found Over a year ago

You need to use '' as the key or 0 will be passed in the form value. i.e. $dropDownList[''] = 'Please Select'; Unless you want that..?

Jakub Over a year ago

@Madmartigan, thanks, done, also updated my answer to include row number check.

No Results Found Over a year ago

You don't need that as result() always returns an array. It's pointless. Returning false maybe isn't a good idea for a function that should return an array, an empty array might be more appropriate. So +1 and -1 :/

gen_Eric · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-16 21:20:23Z

7

Just add it to the array before you return it.

function populatedropdown()
{
    $query = $this->db->query('SELECT * FROM '.$this->table_name.' WHERE active=1 ORDER BY brand');
    $dropdowns = $query->result();

    foreach($dropdowns as $dropdown) {
        $dropDownList[$dropdown->brand] = $dropdown->brand;
    }
    $finalDropDown = array_merge(array('' => 'Please Select'), $dropDownList);

    return $finalDropDown;
}

answered Jan 16, 2012 at 21:20

gen_Eric

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3 Comments

No Results Found Over a year ago

Better yet, define $dropDownList = array('' => 'Please Select'); first in case there's no DB results. Plus the tiny tiny boost of not calling a function.

swatkins Over a year ago

+1 - also, just use validation to keep the empty result out of the database and force a selection (if needed).

gen_Eric Over a year ago

@BigJobbies: No prob. This is how I do it on my site :-)

Timo · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-15 16:14:38Z

0

There is also the possibility to change the form_helper.php and to add something like:

 $form .= '<option value =0 >...</option>';

to the form_dropdown func. However, I do not get it selected as default but the second entry in the form.

But the problem is that you change the core files which should not be down generally.

answered Mar 15, 2013 at 16:14

Timo

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