Passing variable with Javascript action

Question

If anyone can help with this, it would be greatly appreciated!

I have an HTML form, with a drop down for the state you’re in.

Then I have a JavaScript function that determines the state picked, and redirects the user accordingly.

  function pickstate()
{
        if(document.drop_list.State.value == "AR" ){
            document.drop_list.action = "www.theurl.com";
            document.drop_list.submit();
        }
}

My question is: can I use this method (and if so, how) to pass the state to the next form, so that when the user is redirected, the dropdown says the state they picked.

I know how to do this using PHP and POST, but this is not posting, it’s just a redirect to the correct URL based on the state, and since 20 or so states will use the same form, I don't want to make the user select their state again.

The reason I’m using this method is not everyone will be redirected — many states will stay on the form that is first displayed.. This is why I can’t use POST.

Help! Thank you.

If this is within a GET form, why not just grab the parameter from the query string on the second page? — Cal McLean
– Cal McLean, Commented Nov 15, 2012 at 22:37
(And those that aren't redirected can retrieve the variable from the same page.) — David Thomas
– David Thomas, Commented Nov 15, 2012 at 22:37
The form must post (in json) but this redirect is before the submit. — user1789437
– user1789437, Commented Nov 16, 2012 at 0:59

lostsource · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-15 22:55:28Z

1

You can add a hash to the URL

function pickstate()
{
    var stateVal = document.drop_list.State.value;
    switch(stateVal) {
      case "AR"
        document.drop_list.action = "www.theurl.com/#"+stateVal;
      break;
      case "IT"
        document.drop_list.action = "www.theurl.com/#"+stateVal;
      break;
    }

    document.drop_list.submit();
}

Then the next form can select the state by using the passed hash

window.location.hash; // eg. will be equal to #AR or #IT

answered Nov 15, 2012 at 22:55

lostsource

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Comments

Jim Arment · Accepted Answer · 2012-11-15 22:44:54Z

0

You could store the value in local storage.

function pickState() {
    if (document.drop_list.State.value == "AR") {
        document.drop_list.action = "www.theurl.com";
        localStorage.setItem('selectedState', 'AR');
        document.drop_list.submit();
    }
}

Then add another functions that sets the value.

function setState() {
    var storedSelectedState = localStorage.getItem('selectedState');

    if (storedSelectedState) {
        document.drop_list.State.value = storedSelectedState;
    }
}

answered Nov 15, 2012 at 22:44

Jim Arment

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3 Comments

Cal McLean Over a year ago

Slight overkill, isn't it, just to pass a value between forms?

Jim Arment Over a year ago

Overkill? Probably. Expensive? Not at all.

user1789437 Over a year ago

I think I understand your method.. What would I add to the state field on the second page to get it to call the setState function? my code for the form currently is <SELECT id=State name=State>

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