Selecting Multiple Categories

Yes, I know... it's been asked 100 times already. :)

I'm just wondering two things:
1) why you can't use the conditional function on the Category drop down
2) why can't you create a drop down of your own with the category ID in the "value" area and have that work?

#1 I sort of understand... since categories are dynamic, or at least different per-site, you can't really have it create a list of "if then" functions.

But that seems like #2 should work fine then because you would enter the categories in manually, just like any other drop down list.

However, when I try that — entering in category names, and then the ID # in the "value" field — it doesn't work. When I look at the code generated it looks exactly the same as the code generated by the category drop down...

Here's the custom drop down code generated...

<div class="ginput_container">
<select id="input_1_18" class="medium gfield_select" tabindex="3" name="input_18">
<option value="53">Health</option>
<option value="22">Food</option>
<option value="54">Kids</option>
</select>
</div>

And here's the code generated by the category drop down...

<select id="input_1_7" class="medium gfield_select" tabindex="5" name="input_7">
<option selected="selected" value="-1">Select a category</option>
<option value="53">Health</option>
<option value="22">Food</option>
<option value="54">Kids</option>
</select>

... but it's not assigning them to categories. So, obviously, there must be something in the JQuery, or PHP, or somewhere that causes the "submit" to submit those things differently.

Seems like it should be easy — for "you" at least — to make it so that you can enter in category ID #s into the "value" area and have it submit them.

Is it something you can help me with?

The amount of categories and sub-categories that we have are way too many to have people just select from one drop down. But if we could get the conditional stuff working with them (either way... #1, or #2...) then that would work!

Thanks!!!

Hi Parkeast,

This code is not covered by support; however, it may be a good start for you in regards to selecting multiple categories. This would go in your theme's functions.php file.

http://pastie.org/2009261

To select multiple categories you will need to use a check box field. On the advanced tab you will see a checkbox to enable population by taxonomy. Then select the Categories taxonomy from the drop down.

Good luck!

Okay... this is so close to working how I need it to, but it's just not doing it.

I added the code to my functions.php and edited line 111 so added the following to its parameters...

$terms = get_terms($taxonomy, 'orderby=name&order=ASC&hide_empty=0&hierarchical=1&include=22,52,53,54,117');

That worked great, and showed just my primary categories when I used the taxonomy in the check list and chose "categories."

However... when I then tried to set the conditional fields to show or not show based on that choices from that checklist it wouldn't work.

Also, I can't make more "category" fields show based on this.

What is working great — as far as appearing as I want it to and giving the user the choices I want to give them — is simply using the check boxes as is and entering in my categories manually.

ALL that needs to happen really is to have the ability to have the "value" field be the category ID # and post in the corresponding category.

Is this just completely out of the question? It seems like it should be so easy to do... but, alas, I am lost!

Thanks for the help so far... I will keep you updated, and please (anyone) let me know if you know a way to do this!

So the thing that appears to make WP post into a category via a check list is the code...

name="post_category[]"

On line 164 of the common.php file the name for the field is defined as...

name='input_%s'

If you change this, you break it... if you add the "post_category[]" in addition to what's there already it doesn't do anything.

I'm determined to figure this out... there are SO many people I've read who want it!

Another option, that might be even easier, is to use the categories code in your functions.php file, but alter it so it populates the "Field Choices" with the categories you select as well. Then the back-end form could use it with conditional logic, and the front end with posting to categories.

Just sent you an email. :)

Did it work from your end @parkeast?
I try to post this, but maybe i didnt specify my exact problem.