Set focus in input field with php

PHP
1

hi all

To be on safer side i m adding server side validation to my form.

So i would like to know if there is something similar to below “focus” code in php


document.form.usernameinput.focus();

vineet

2

Yes - server side validation is mandatory, client side is nice to have.

If you are talking about the form returned to the user, all that PHP can do is send back a stream of html/js which can contain your .focus() instruction so that the required form element lights up or whatever.

You are best off adding a html message as well in case JS is turned off/unavailable.


if($error['fname']){

echo "<p>Please add your name</p>";
echo "<input type=text name=fname id=fname '/>";

}

That is a simple example of a way of doing it for illustrative purposes, I’m sure you can improve upon it and integrate it.

3

hi cups

thanks for the reply.

i will surely be adding/displaying error messages near the input fields.

i thought it would be better if i could set focus also on the input field through php.

but thats not be possible with php i think ?

vineet

4

Well, you will have to output some js into the stream of html which includes something like:


<script>
$('#fname').focus();
</script>
5

hi cups

i need a solution that will work even if javascript is disabled.

totally php without javascript

vineet

6

Sadly there is no solution for this. What you’re trying to do is dynamically modify the webpage in real-time (client side) - This is what JavaScript was made for. I believe it’s a rediculously small number (something like 2 or 3%) of users actually browse with JavaScript disabled so there is no need for it either.

7

There is probably a high number of that small number who are visually handicapped and use a screen reader which disables JS.

So, sticking focus on a named form element is a “nice to have”, and if you are designing for non-JS enabled readers is not possible so I suggest you accept that think up other ways of bringing it to the attention of the user.