Dynamic Select

How to set the selected-index based on database

[webfoo]

I have a PHP-powered HTML form that updates a MySQL database. The database has a field containing one of three different values. The form has a dropdown box offering these three values. Using PHP/SQL, how can I set the dropdown box to automatically select the current value of the database field?

[eelixduppy]

Here is something I wrote up some time ago. This also implements AJAX for a more user-friendly interface, but you can also simply remove that. Take a look: [webmasterworld.com...]

[webfoo]

Thanks, but I can't understand your script, eelix. All I want to know is how to automatically select the right value from a dropdown. I think it has something to do with a selectedindex ?

[eelixduppy]

I'm actually sorry. I misread your original question; I must have been going to quickly or something. Anyway, you must compare the value of the select with what's in the database and then echo accordingly. So it would look something like this:

<option value="one" <?php echo ($row['col'] === 'one') ? 'selected': ''; ?> /> 
<option value="two" <?php echo ($row['col'] === 'two') ? 'selected': ''; ?> />
<option value="three" <?php echo ($row['col'] === 'three') ? 'selected': ''; ?> />

etc...

Hope this helps. Sorry again.