pre-populating hidden form field problems.

Robert,
When we say you can populate a form field using the shortcode, we meant using the Gravity Forms shortcode. (i.e. [gravityform id=xxx field_values='parameter_name=value']).

To dynamically populate a GF field with the value from your shortcode, you will need to use one of the hooks. You can follow the instructions I sent you in this post:
http://forum.gravityhelp.com/topic/random-chanracters-in-hidden-field.
You will just need to replace the uniqid(); call with the value of your shortcode.

I hope this helps.

Actually robert, I just finally figured out what you are trying to do.

You can't use a shortcode or PHP function call where you are trying to use it. You don't pass someone elses shortcode or function to the field, you use Gravity Forms shortcodes or function calls to pass the data to the field.

In this screenshot:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fallenheroescar/4047270713/

You are trying to place PHP or a shortcode in the Parameter Name field in the Field Settings. This isn't what this is for. It's a text field, it isn't going to run PHP or parse the shortcode. It's a parameter name, it is a text field.

The Parameter name is so you can give that field a variable name that you can then target using PHP on the front end, most likely from your themes Functions.php file.

You would have to give the field a parameter name such as "transactionid" or "uniqueid" or whatever you want to call it (without the quotes).

Then in your functions.php file you would use the code snippets Alex has given you in one of your support threads that showed you how to populate that field by targeting that parameter name.

Alex gave you step by step instructions in this thread:

http://forum.gravityhelp.com/topic/random-chanracters-in-hidden-field

You pre-populate a field using the Gravity Forms shortcode in a page or post.

Here is the shortcode:

[gravityform id=1 field_values='firstname=Carl']

This shortcode would display a form id 1 and prepopulate the field with the parameter name "firstname" with the value "Carl".

Our description is accurate, we provide ways to pre-populate the data using query string parameters, API filter, shortcode or function call. We don't control or have anything to do with shortcodes created by other plugins.

In order for shortcodes to work it has to be processed by WordPress itself. Gravity Forms doesn't process the shortcodes, which is why placing a shortcode in the parameter name isn't going to work (not to mention thats a name field and not a value field).

Typically a shortcode also has a function call that can be used. Whatever you are trying to do with another shortcode/function call can be accomplished using the api filters to do so and setting the value of the field to the output of the function call (plexus) you are trying to do.

What you are trying to do is exactly what the API filters hooks are designed to be used for.

Robert,
Yes, you are on the right track. I think you are almost there. Use the following code snippet in your functions.php instead. (extra dots (.) were removed)

add_filter("gform_field_value_agent", "populate_agent");
function populate_agent(){
return plexus_information("agent");
}

Hey Robert, I just noticed the forum had added BR tags in Alex's code sample above. You didn't include those in your code did you?

Hello Robert, Try this test code snippet which simply inserts a text value into the field and let me know if it works. I just tested it on my test site by placing it in my themes functions.php file and it is pre-populating the field value as it should.

add_filter("gform_field_value_agent", "populate_agent");
function populate_agent(){
$agent_value = "Test";
return $agent_value;
}

I placed the above code snippet on my test site and you can see it pre-populate the value here:

http://www.carlhancock.com/test/

You will see the textarea on that form has "Test" as the value, it is being pre-populated by the code snippet above.

Try this test snippet to see if it does the same for you so we can then determine why your original code didn't populate the field value.

If it is populating the field that means the filter is working as intended and the issue has to do with the function you are trying to call as the value. Double check that your plexus_information("agent") is in fact returning a value, try calling it in your theme somewhere by itself and see if it outputs the expected value on the page.

What exactly does that function output? Can you post an example of what that function call outputs here?

Hey Robert, can you email me the code that makes up the plexus_information PHP function so that we can take a look at it? There is something with how that function is utilized that is preventing it from working within the context of the filter.

If you can send us over the PHP code as an email attachment, we can take a look and see if we notice anything that can be changed so that it will work. You can send it to carl -at- rocketgenius.com

Thanks!

Robert,
Based on your function, I don't see why it wouldn't return the correct value inside the filter. Is there any way you could give me temporary access to your WP admin so that I could take a closer look at it? If so, please email them to alex[at]rocketgenius.com.