Class FormHelper

Form helper library.

Automatic generation of HTML FORMs from given data.

Namespace: Cake\View\Helper
Link: https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html

Constants

string

SECURE_SKIP ¶
```
'skip'
```
Constant used internally to skip the securing process, and neither add the field to the hash or to the unlocked fields.

Property Summary

$Html public @property

Cake\View\Helper\HtmlHelper
$Url public @property

Cake\View\Helper\UrlHelper
$_View protected

Cake\View\View

The View instance this helper is attached to
$_config protected

array

Runtime config
$_configInitialized protected

bool

Whether the config property has already been configured with defaults
$_context protected

Cake\View\Form\ContextInterface|null

Context for the current form.
$_contextFactory protected

Cake\View\Form\ContextFactory

Context factory.
$_datetimeOptions protected

array

Special options used for datetime inputs.
$_datetimeParts protected

array

The various pickers that make up a datetime picker.
$_defaultConfig protected

array

Default config for the helper.
$_defaultWidgets protected

array

Default widgets
$_groupedInputTypes protected

string[]

Grouped input types.
$_helperMap protected

array

A helper lookup table used to lazy load helper objects.
$_idPrefix protected

string|null

Prefix for id attribute.
$_idSuffixes protected

string[]

A list of id suffixes used in the current rendering.
$_lastAction protected

string

The action attribute value of the last created form. Used to make form/request specific hashes for SecurityComponent.
$_locator protected

Cake\View\Widget\WidgetLocator

Locator for input widgets.
$_templater protected

Cake\View\StringTemplate

StringTemplate instance.
$_unlockedFields protected

string[]

An array of field names that have been excluded from the Token hash used by SecurityComponent's validatePost method
$_valueSources protected

string[]

The sources to be used when retrieving prefilled input values.
$fields public

string[]

List of fields created, used with secure forms.
$fieldset public deprecated

array

Unused.
$helpers public

array

Other helpers used by FormHelper
$requestType public

string|null

Defines the type of form being created. Set by FormHelper::create().
$tags public deprecated

array

Unused.

Method Summary

__call() public

Missing method handler - implements various simple input types. Is used to create inputs of various types. e.g. $this->Form->text(); will create <input type="text" /> while $this->Form->range(); will create <input type="range" />
__construct() public

Construct the widgets and binds the default context providers
__debugInfo() public

Returns an array that can be used to describe the internal state of this object.
__get() public

Lazy loads helpers.
__set() public

Magic setter for removed properties.
_buildFieldToken() protected

Generate the token data for the provided inputs.
_cleanConfirmMessage() protected

Returns a string read to be used in confirm()
_clearIds() protected

Clear the stored ID suffixes.
_configDelete() protected

Deletes a single config key.
_configRead() protected

Reads a config key.
_configWrite() protected

Writes a config key.
_confirm() protected

Returns a string to be used as onclick handler for confirm dialogs.
_csrfField() protected

Return a CSRF input if the request data is present. Used to secure forms in conjunction with CsrfComponent & SecurityComponent
_datetimeOptions() protected

Helper method for converting from FormHelper options data to widget format.
_domId() protected

Generate an ID suitable for use in an ID attribute.
_extractOption() protected

Extracts a single option from an options array.
_formUrl() protected

Create the URL for a form based on the options.
_getContext() protected

Find the matching context provider for the data.
_getInput() protected

Generates an input element
_getLabel() protected

Generate label for input
_groupTemplate() protected

Generates an group template element
_id() protected

Generate an ID attribute for an element.
_idSuffix() protected

Generate an ID suffix.
_initInputField() protected

Sets field defaults and adds field to form security input hash. Will also add the error class if the field contains validation errors.
_inputContainerTemplate() protected

Generates an input container template
_inputLabel() protected

Generate a label for an input() call.
_inputType() protected

Returns the input type that was guessed for the provided fieldName, based on the internal type it is associated too, its name and the variables that can be found in the view template
_isDisabled() protected

Determine if a field is disabled.
_lastAction() protected

Correctly store the last created form action URL.
_magicOptions() protected

Magically set option type and corresponding options
_optionsOptions() protected

Selects the variable containing the options for a select field if present, and sets the value to the 'options' key in the options array.
_parseOptions() protected

Generates input options array
_secure() protected

Determine which fields of a form should be used for hash. Populates $this->fields
_secureFieldName() protected

Get the field name for use with _secure().
_singleDatetime() protected

Helper method for the various single datetime component methods.
addClass() public

Adds the given class to the element options
addContextProvider() public

Add a new context type.
addWidget() public

Add a new widget to FormHelper.
allControls() public

Generate a set of controls for $fields. If $fields is empty the fields of current model will be used.
allInputs() public deprecated

Generate a set of controls for $fields. If $fields is empty the fields of current model will be used.
button() public

Creates a <button> tag.
checkbox() public

Creates a checkbox input widget.
config() public deprecated

Gets/Sets the config.
configShallow() public

Merge provided config with existing config. Unlike config() which does a recursive merge for nested keys, this method does a simple merge.
context() public

Get the context instance for the current form set.
contextFactory() public

Set the context factory the helper will use.
control() public

Generates a form control element complete with label and wrapper div.
controls() public

Generate a set of controls for $fields wrapped in a fieldset element.
create() public

Returns an HTML form element.
date() public

Generate date inputs.
dateTime() public

Returns a set of SELECT elements for a full datetime setup: day, month and year, and then time.
day() public

Returns a SELECT element for days.
email() public @method
end() public

Closes an HTML form, cleans up values set by FormHelper::create(), and writes hidden input fields where appropriate.
error() public

Returns a formatted error message for given form field, '' if no errors.
fieldset() public

Wrap a set of inputs in a fieldset
file() public

Creates file input widget.
formatTemplate() public

Formats a template string with $data
getConfig() public

Returns the config.
getConfigOrFail() public

Returns the config for this specific key.
getSourceValue() public

Gets a single field value from the sources available.
getTemplates() public

Gets templates to use or a specific template.
getValueSources() public

Gets the value sources.
getView() public

Get the view instance this helper is bound to.
getWidgetLocator() public

Get the widget locator currently used by the helper.
hidden() public

Creates a hidden input field.
hour() public

Returns a SELECT element for hours.
implementedEvents() public

Event listeners.
initialize() public

Constructor hook method.
input() public deprecated

Generates a form control element complete with label and wrapper div.
inputs() public deprecated

Generate a set of controls for $fields wrapped in a fieldset element.
isFieldError() public

Returns true if there is an error for the given field, otherwise false
label() public

Returns a formatted LABEL element for HTML forms.
meridian() public

Returns a SELECT element for AM or PM.
minute() public

Returns a SELECT element for minutes.
month() public

Returns a SELECT element for months.
multiCheckbox() public

Creates a set of checkboxes out of options.
number() public @method
password() public @method
postButton() public

Create a <button> tag with a surrounding <form> that submits via POST as default.
postLink() public

Creates an HTML link, but access the URL using the method you specify (defaults to POST). Requires javascript to be enabled in browser.
radio() public

Creates a set of radio widgets.
resetTemplates() public

Restores the default values built into FormHelper.
search() public @method
secure() public

Generates a hidden field with a security hash based on the fields used in the form.
select() public

Returns a formatted SELECT element.
setConfig() public

Sets the config.
setTemplates() public

Sets templates to use.
setValueSources() public

Sets the value sources.
setWidgetLocator() public

Set the widget locator the helper will use.
submit() public

Creates a submit button element. This method will generate <input /> elements that can be used to submit, and reset forms by using $options. image submits can be created by supplying an image path for $caption.
templater() public

Returns the templater instance.
templates() public deprecated

Gets/sets templates to use.
text() public @method
textarea() public

Creates a textarea widget.
time() public

Generate time inputs.
unlockField() public

Add to or get the list of fields that are currently unlocked. Unlocked fields are not included in the field hash used by SecurityComponent unlocking a field once its been added to the list of secured fields will remove it from the list of fields.
widget() public

Render a named widget.
widgetRegistry() public deprecated

Set the widget registry the helper will use.
year() public

Returns a SELECT element for years

Method Detail

__call() ¶ public

__call(string $method, array $params): string

Missing method handler - implements various simple input types. Is used to create inputs of various types. e.g. $this->Form->text(); will create <input type="text" /> while $this->Form->range(); will create <input type="range" />

Usage

$this->Form->search('User.query', ['value' => 'test']);

Will make an input like:

<input type="search" id="UserQuery" name="User[query]" value="test" />

The first argument to an input type should always be the fieldname, in Model.field format. The second argument should always be an array of attributes for the input.

Parameters

string $method: Method name / input type to make.
array $params: Parameters for the method call

Returns

string

Throws

Cake\Core\Exception\Exception
When there are no params for the method call.

__construct() ¶ public

__construct(Cake\View\View $View, array $config = [])

Construct the widgets and binds the default context providers

Parameters

Cake\View\View $View: The View this helper is being attached to.
array $config optional: Configuration settings for the helper.

__debugInfo() ¶ public

__debugInfo(): array

Returns an array that can be used to describe the internal state of this object.

Returns

array

__get() ¶ public

__get(string $name): Cake\View\Helper|null

Lazy loads helpers.

Parameters

string $name: Name of the property being accessed.

Returns

Cake\View\Helper|null

__set() ¶ public

__set(string $name, mixed $value): void

Magic setter for removed properties.

Parameters

string $name: Property name.
mixed $value: Value to set.

Returns

void

_buildFieldToken() ¶ protected

_buildFieldToken(string $url, array $fields, string[] $unlockedFields = []): array

Generate the token data for the provided inputs.

Parameters

string $url: The URL the form is being submitted to.
array $fields: If set specifies the list of fields to use when generating the hash.
string[] $unlockedFields optional: The list of fields that are excluded from field validation.

Returns

array

_cleanConfirmMessage() ¶ protected

_cleanConfirmMessage(string $message): mixed

Returns a string read to be used in confirm()

Parameters

string $message: The message to clean

Returns

mixed

_clearIds() ¶ protected

_clearIds(): void

Clear the stored ID suffixes.

Returns

void

_configDelete() ¶ protected

_configDelete(string $key): void

Deletes a single config key.

Parameters

string $key: Key to delete.

Returns

void

Throws

Cake\Core\Exception\Exception
if attempting to clobber existing config

_configRead() ¶ protected

_configRead(string|null $key): mixed

Reads a config key.

Parameters

string|null $key: Key to read.

Returns

mixed

_configWrite() ¶ protected

_configWrite(string|array $key, mixed $value, bool|string $merge = false): void

Writes a config key.

Parameters

string|array $key: Key to write to.
mixed $value: Value to write.
bool|string $merge optional: True to merge recursively, 'shallow' for simple merge, false to overwrite, defaults to false.

Returns

void

Throws

Cake\Core\Exception\Exception
if attempting to clobber existing config

_confirm() ¶ protected

_confirm(string $message, string $okCode, string $cancelCode = '', array $options = []): string

Returns a string to be used as onclick handler for confirm dialogs.

Parameters

string $message: Message to be displayed
string $okCode: Code to be executed after user chose 'OK'
string $cancelCode optional: Code to be executed after user chose 'Cancel'
array $options optional: Array of options

Returns

string

_csrfField() ¶ protected

_csrfField(): string

Return a CSRF input if the request data is present. Used to secure forms in conjunction with CsrfComponent & SecurityComponent

Returns

string

_datetimeOptions() ¶ protected

_datetimeOptions(array $options): array

Helper method for converting from FormHelper options data to widget format.

Parameters

array $options: Options to convert.

Returns

array

_domId() ¶ protected

_domId(string $value): string

Generate an ID suitable for use in an ID attribute.

Parameters

string $value: The value to convert into an ID.

Returns

string

_extractOption() ¶ protected

_extractOption(string $name, array $options, mixed $default = null): mixed

Extracts a single option from an options array.

Parameters

string $name: The name of the option to pull out.
array $options: The array of options you want to extract.
mixed $default optional: The default option value

Returns

mixed

_formUrl() ¶ protected

_formUrl(Cake\View\Form\ContextInterface $context, array $options): string|array

Create the URL for a form based on the options.

Parameters

Cake\View\Form\ContextInterface $context: The context object to use.
array $options: An array of options from create()

Returns

string|array

_getContext() ¶ protected

_getContext(mixed $data = []): Cake\View\Form\ContextInterface

Find the matching context provider for the data.

If no type can be matched a NullContext will be returned.

Parameters

mixed $data optional: The data to get a context provider for.

Returns

Cake\View\Form\ContextInterface

Throws

RuntimeException
when the context class does not implement the ContextInterface.

_getInput() ¶ protected

_getInput(string $fieldName, array $options): string

Generates an input element

Parameters

string $fieldName: the field name
array $options: The options for the input element

Returns

string

_getLabel() ¶ protected

_getLabel(string $fieldName, array $options): bool|string

Generate label for input

Parameters

string $fieldName: The name of the field to generate label for.
array $options: Options list.

Returns

bool|string

_groupTemplate() ¶ protected

_groupTemplate(array $options): string

Generates an group template element

Parameters

array $options: The options for group template

Returns

string

_id() ¶ protected

_id(string $name, string $val): string

Generate an ID attribute for an element.

Ensures that id's for a given set of fields are unique.

Parameters

string $name: The ID attribute name.
string $val: The ID attribute value.

Returns

string

_idSuffix() ¶ protected

_idSuffix(string $val): string

Generate an ID suffix.

Ensures that id's for a given set of fields are unique.

Parameters

string $val: The ID attribute value.

Returns

string

_initInputField() ¶ protected

_initInputField(string $field, array $options = []): array

Sets field defaults and adds field to form security input hash. Will also add the error class if the field contains validation errors.

Options

secure - boolean whether or not the field should be added to the security fields. Disabling the field using the disabled option, will also omit the field from being part of the hashed key.
default - mixed - The value to use if there is no value in the form's context.
disabled - mixed - Either a boolean indicating disabled state, or the string in a numerically indexed value.
id - mixed - If true it will be auto generated based on field name.

This method will convert a numerically indexed 'disabled' into an associative array value. FormHelper's internals expect associative options.

The output of this function is a more complete set of input attributes that can be passed to a form widget to generate the actual input.

Parameters

string $field: Name of the field to initialize options for.
array $options optional: Array of options to append options into.

Returns

array

_inputContainerTemplate() ¶ protected

_inputContainerTemplate(array $options): string

Generates an input container template

Parameters

array $options: The options for input container template

Returns

string

_inputLabel() ¶ protected

_inputLabel(string $fieldName, string $label, array $options): string

Generate a label for an input() call.

$options can contain a hash of id overrides. These overrides will be used instead of the generated values if present.

Parameters

string $fieldName: The name of the field to generate label for.
string $label: Label text.
array $options: Options for the label element.

Returns

string

_inputType() ¶ protected

_inputType(string $fieldName, array $options): string

Returns the input type that was guessed for the provided fieldName, based on the internal type it is associated too, its name and the variables that can be found in the view template

Parameters

string $fieldName: the name of the field to guess a type for
array $options: the options passed to the input method

Returns

string

_isDisabled() ¶ protected

_isDisabled(array $options): bool

Determine if a field is disabled.

Parameters

array $options: The option set.

Returns

bool

_lastAction() ¶ protected

_lastAction(string|array|null $url): void

Correctly store the last created form action URL.

Parameters

string|array|null $url: The URL of the last form.

Returns

void

_magicOptions() ¶ protected

_magicOptions(string $fieldName, array $options, bool $allowOverride): array

Magically set option type and corresponding options

Parameters

string $fieldName: The name of the field to generate options for.
array $options: Options list.
bool $allowOverride: Whether or not it is allowed for this method to overwrite the 'type' key in options.

Returns

array

_optionsOptions() ¶ protected

_optionsOptions(string $fieldName, array $options): array

Selects the variable containing the options for a select field if present, and sets the value to the 'options' key in the options array.

Parameters

string $fieldName: The name of the field to find options for.
array $options: Options list.

Returns

array

_parseOptions() ¶ protected

_parseOptions(string $fieldName, array $options): array

Generates input options array

Parameters

string $fieldName: The name of the field to parse options for.
array $options: Options list.

Returns

array

_secure() ¶ protected

_secure(bool $lock, string|array $field, mixed $value = null): void

Determine which fields of a form should be used for hash. Populates $this->fields

Parameters

bool $lock: Whether this field should be part of the validation or excluded as part of the unlockedFields.
string|array $field: Reference to field to be secured. Can be dot separated string to indicate nesting or array of fieldname parts.
mixed $value optional: Field value, if value should not be tampered with.

Returns

void

_secureFieldName() ¶ protected

_secureFieldName(string $name): array

Get the field name for use with _secure().

Parses the name attribute to create a dot separated name value for use in secured field hash. If filename is of form Model[field] an array of fieldname parts like ['Model', 'field'] is returned.

Parameters

string $name: The form inputs name attribute.

Returns

array

_singleDatetime() ¶ protected

_singleDatetime(array $options, string $keep): array

Helper method for the various single datetime component methods.

Parameters

array $options: The options array.
string $keep: The option to not disable.

Returns

array

addClass() ¶ public

addClass(array $options = [], string|null $class = null, string $key = 'class'): array

Adds the given class to the element options

Parameters

array $options optional: Array options/attributes to add a class to
string|null $class optional: The class name being added.
string $key optional: the key to use for class. Defaults to 'class'.

Returns

array

addContextProvider() ¶ public

addContextProvider(string $type, callable $check): void

Add a new context type.

Form context types allow FormHelper to interact with data providers that come from outside CakePHP. For example if you wanted to use an alternative ORM like Doctrine you could create and connect a new context class to allow FormHelper to read metadata from doctrine.

Parameters

string $type: The type of context. This key can be used to overwrite existing providers.
callable $check: A callable that returns an object when the form context is the correct type.

Returns

void

addWidget() ¶ public

addWidget(string $name, array|Cake\View\Widget\WidgetInterface $spec): void

Add a new widget to FormHelper.

Allows you to add or replace widget instances with custom code.

Parameters

string $name: The name of the widget. e.g. 'text'.
array|Cake\View\Widget\WidgetInterface $spec: Either a string class name or an object implementing the WidgetInterface.

Returns

void

allControls() ¶ public

allControls(array $fields = [], array $options = []): string

Generate a set of controls for $fields. If $fields is empty the fields of current model will be used.

You can customize individual controls through $fields.

$this->Form->allControls([
  'name' => ['label' => 'custom label']
]);

You can exclude fields by specifying them as false:

$this->Form->allControls(['title' => false]);

In the above example, no field would be generated for the title field.

Parameters

array $fields optional

An array of customizations for the fields that will be generated. This array allows you to set custom types, labels, or other options.

array $options optional

Options array. Valid keys are:

fieldset Set to false to disable the fieldset. You can also pass an array of params to be applied as HTML attributes to the fieldset tag. If you pass an empty array, the fieldset will be enabled
legend Set to false to disable the legend for the generated control set. Or supply a string to customize the legend text.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#generating-entire-forms

allInputs() ¶ public

allInputs(array $fields = [], array $options = []): string

Generate a set of controls for $fields. If $fields is empty the fields of current model will be used.

Parameters

array $fields optional

An array of customizations for the fields that will be generated. This array allows you to set custom types, labels, or other options.

array $options optional

Options array. Valid keys are:

fieldset Set to false to disable the fieldset. You can also pass an array of params to be applied as HTML attributes to the fieldset tag. If you pass an empty array, the fieldset will be enabled
legend Set to false to disable the legend for the generated control set. Or supply a string to customize the legend text.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#generating-entire-forms

button() ¶ public

button(string $title, array $options = []): string

Creates a <button> tag.

The type attribute defaults to type="submit" You can change it to a different value by using $options['type'].

Options:

escape - HTML entity encode the $title of the button. Defaults to false.
confirm - Confirm message to show. Form execution will only continue if confirmed then.

Parameters

string $title: The button's caption. Not automatically HTML encoded
array $options optional: Array of options and HTML attributes.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-button-elements

checkbox() ¶ public

checkbox(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string|array

Creates a checkbox input widget.

Options:

value - the value of the checkbox
checked - boolean indicate that this checkbox is checked.
hiddenField - boolean to indicate if you want the results of checkbox() to include a hidden input with a value of ''.
disabled - create a disabled input.
default - Set the default value for the checkbox. This allows you to start checkboxes as checked, without having to check the POST data. A matching POST data value, will overwrite the default value.

Parameters

string $fieldName: Name of a field, like this "modelname.fieldname"
array $options optional: Array of HTML attributes.

Returns

string|array

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-checkboxes

config() ¶ public

config(string|array|null $key = null, mixed|null $value = null, bool $merge = true): mixed

Gets/Sets the config.

Usage

Reading the whole config:

$this->config();

Reading a specific value:

$this->config('key');

Reading a nested value:

$this->config('some.nested.key');

Setting a specific value:

$this->config('key', $value);

Setting a nested value:

$this->config('some.nested.key', $value);

Updating multiple config settings at the same time:

$this->config(['one' => 'value', 'another' => 'value']);

Parameters

string|array|null $key optional: The key to get/set, or a complete array of configs.
mixed|null $value optional: The value to set.
bool $merge optional: Whether to recursively merge or overwrite existing config, defaults to true.

Returns

mixed

Throws

Cake\Core\Exception\Exception
When trying to set a key that is invalid.

configShallow() ¶ public

configShallow(string|array $key, mixed|null $value = null): $this

Merge provided config with existing config. Unlike config() which does a recursive merge for nested keys, this method does a simple merge.

Setting a specific value:

$this->configShallow('key', $value);

Setting a nested value:

$this->configShallow('some.nested.key', $value);

Updating multiple config settings at the same time:

$this->configShallow(['one' => 'value', 'another' => 'value']);

Parameters

string|array $key: The key to set, or a complete array of configs.
mixed|null $value optional: The value to set.

Returns

$this

context() ¶ public

context(Cake\View\Form\ContextInterface|null $context = null): Cake\View\Form\ContextInterface

Get the context instance for the current form set.

If there is no active form null will be returned.

Parameters

Cake\View\Form\ContextInterface|null $context optional: Either the new context when setting, or null to get.

Returns

Cake\View\Form\ContextInterface

contextFactory() ¶ public

contextFactory(Cake\View\Form\ContextFactory|null $instance = null, array $contexts = []): Cake\View\Form\ContextFactory

Set the context factory the helper will use.

Parameters

Cake\View\Form\ContextFactory|null $instance optional: The context factory instance to set.
array $contexts optional: An array of context providers.

Returns

Cake\View\Form\ContextFactory

control() ¶ public

control(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Generates a form control element complete with label and wrapper div.

Options

See each field type method for more information. Any options that are part of $attributes or $options for the different type methods can be included in $options for control(). Additionally, any unknown keys that are not in the list below, or part of the selected type's options will be treated as a regular HTML attribute for the generated input.

type - Force the type of widget you want. e.g. type => 'select'
label - Either a string label, or an array of options for the label. See FormHelper::label().
options - For widgets that take options e.g. radio, select.
error - Control the error message that is produced. Set to false to disable any kind of error reporting (field error and error messages).
empty - String or boolean to enable empty select box options.
nestedInput - Used with checkbox and radio inputs. Set to false to render inputs outside of label elements. Can be set to true on any input to force the input inside the label. If you enable this option for radio buttons you will also need to modify the default radioWrapper template.
templates - The templates you want to use for this input. Any templates will be merged on top of the already loaded templates. This option can either be a filename in /config that contains the templates you want to load, or an array of templates to use.
labelOptions - Either false to disable label around nestedWidgets e.g. radio, multicheckbox or an array of attributes for the label tag. selected will be added to any classes e.g. class => 'myclass' where widget is checked

Parameters

string $fieldName: This should be "modelname.fieldname"
array $options optional: Each type of input takes different options.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-form-inputs

controls() ¶ public

controls(array $fields, array $options = []): string

Generate a set of controls for $fields wrapped in a fieldset element.

You can customize individual controls through $fields.

$this->Form->controls([
  'name' => ['label' => 'custom label'],
  'email'
]);

Parameters

array $fields

An array of the fields to generate. This array allows you to set custom types, labels, or other options.

array $options optional

Options array. Valid keys are:

fieldset Set to false to disable the fieldset. You can also pass an array of params to be applied as HTML attributes to the fieldset tag. If you pass an empty array, the fieldset will be enabled.
legend Set to false to disable the legend for the generated input set. Or supply a string to customize the legend text.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#generating-entire-forms

create() ¶ public

create(mixed $context = null, array $options = []): string

Returns an HTML form element.

Options:

type Form method defaults to autodetecting based on the form context. If the form context's isCreate() method returns false, a PUT request will be done.
method Set the form's method attribute explicitly.
action The controller action the form submits to, (optional). Use this option if you don't need to change the controller from the current request's controller. Deprecated since 3.2, use url.
url The URL the form submits to. Can be a string or a URL array. If you use 'url' you should leave 'action' undefined.
encoding Set the accept-charset encoding for the form. Defaults to Configure::read('App.encoding')
enctype Set the form encoding explicitly. By default type => file will set enctype to multipart/form-data.
templates The templates you want to use for this form. Any templates will be merged on top of the already loaded templates. This option can either be a filename in /config that contains the templates you want to load, or an array of templates to use.
context Additional options for the context class. For example the EntityContext accepts a 'table' option that allows you to set the specific Table class the form should be based on.
idPrefix Prefix for generated ID attributes.
valueSources The sources that values should be read from. See FormHelper::setValueSources()
templateVars Provide template variables for the formStart template.

Parameters

mixed $context optional: The context for which the form is being defined. Can be a ContextInterface instance, ORM entity, ORM resultset, or an array of meta data. You can use null to make a context-less form.
array $options optional: An array of html attributes and options.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#Cake\View\Helper\FormHelper::create

date() ¶ public

date(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Generate date inputs.

Options:

See dateTime() for date options.

Parameters

string $fieldName: Prefix name for the SELECT element
array $options optional: Array of Options

Returns

string

dateTime() ¶ public

dateTime(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Returns a set of SELECT elements for a full datetime setup: day, month and year, and then time.

Date Options:

empty - If true, the empty select option is shown. If a string, that string is displayed as the empty element.
value | default The default value to be used by the input. A value in $this->data matching the field name will override this value. If no default is provided time() will be used.
monthNames If false, 2 digit numbers will be used instead of text. If an array, the given array will be used.
minYear The lowest year to use in the year select
maxYear The maximum year to use in the year select
orderYear - Order of year values in select options. Possible values 'asc', 'desc'. Default 'desc'.

Time options:

empty - If true, the empty select option is shown. If a string,
value | default The default value to be used by the input. A value in $this->data matching the field name will override this value. If no default is provided time() will be used.
timeFormat The time format to use, either 12 or 24.
interval The interval for the minutes select. Defaults to 1
round - Set to up or down if you want to force rounding in either direction. Defaults to null.
second Set to true to enable seconds drop down.

To control the order of inputs, and any elements/content between the inputs you can override the dateWidget template. By default the dateWidget template is:

{{month}}{{day}}{{year}}{{hour}}{{minute}}{{second}}{{meridian}}

Parameters

string $fieldName: Prefix name for the SELECT element
array $options optional: Array of Options

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-date-and-time-inputs

day() ¶ public

day(string|null $fieldName = null, array $options = []): string

Returns a SELECT element for days.

Options:

empty - If true, the empty select option is shown. If a string, that string is displayed as the empty element.
value The selected value of the input.

Parameters

string|null $fieldName optional: Prefix name for the SELECT element
array $options optional: Options & HTML attributes for the select element

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-day-inputs

email() ¶ public @method

email(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Parameters

string $fieldName
array $options optional

Returns

string

end() ¶ public

end(array $secureAttributes = []): string

Closes an HTML form, cleans up values set by FormHelper::create(), and writes hidden input fields where appropriate.

Resets some parts of the state, shared among multiple FormHelper::create() calls, to defaults.

Parameters

array $secureAttributes optional: Secure attributes which will be passed as HTML attributes into the hidden input elements generated for the Security Component.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#closing-the-form

error() ¶ public

error(string $field, string|array|null $text = null, array $options = []): string

Returns a formatted error message for given form field, '' if no errors.

Uses the error, errorList and errorItem templates. The errorList and errorItem templates are used to format multiple error messages per field.

Options:

escape boolean - Whether or not to html escape the contents of the error.

Parameters

string $field: A field name, like "modelname.fieldname"
string|array|null $text optional: Error message as string or array of messages. If an array, it should be a hash of key names => messages.
array $options optional: See above.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#displaying-and-checking-errors

fieldset() ¶ public

fieldset(string $fields = '', array $options = []): string

Wrap a set of inputs in a fieldset

Parameters

string $fields optional

the form inputs to wrap in a fieldset

array $options optional

Options array. Valid keys are:

fieldset Set to false to disable the fieldset. You can also pass an array of params to be applied as HTML attributes to the fieldset tag. If you pass an empty array, the fieldset will be enabled
legend Set to false to disable the legend for the generated input set. Or supply a string to customize the legend text.

Returns

string

file() ¶ public

file(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Creates file input widget.

Parameters

string $fieldName: Name of a field, in the form "modelname.fieldname"
array $options optional: Array of HTML attributes.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-file-inputs

formatTemplate() ¶ public

formatTemplate(string $name, array $data): string

Formats a template string with $data

Parameters

string $name: The template name.
array $data: The data to insert.

Returns

string

getConfig() ¶ public

getConfig(string|null $key = null, mixed|null $default = null): mixed|null

Returns the config.

Usage

Reading the whole config:

$this->getConfig();

Reading a specific value:

$this->getConfig('key');

Reading a nested value:

$this->getConfig('some.nested.key');

Reading with default value:

$this->getConfig('some-key', 'default-value');

Parameters

string|null $key optional: The key to get or null for the whole config.
mixed|null $default optional: The return value when the key does not exist.

Returns

mixed|null

getConfigOrFail() ¶ public

getConfigOrFail(string|null $key): mixed

Returns the config for this specific key.

The config value for this key must exist, it can never be null.

Parameters

string|null $key: The key to get.

Returns

mixed

Throws

InvalidArgumentException

getSourceValue() ¶ public

getSourceValue(string $fieldname, array|null $options = []): string|null

Gets a single field value from the sources available.

Parameters

string $fieldname: The fieldname to fetch the value for.
array|null $options optional: The options containing default values.

Returns

string|null

getTemplates() ¶ public

getTemplates(string|null $template = null): string|array

Gets templates to use or a specific template.

Parameters

string|null $template optional: String for reading a specific template, null for all.

Returns

string|array

getValueSources() ¶ public

getValueSources(): string[]

hidden(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Creates a hidden input field.

Parameters

string $fieldName: Name of a field, in the form of "modelname.fieldname"
array $options optional: Array of HTML attributes.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-hidden-inputs

hour() ¶ public

hour(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Returns a SELECT element for hours.

Attributes:

empty - If true, the empty select option is shown. If a string, that string is displayed as the empty element.
value The selected value of the input.
format Set to 12 or 24 to use 12 or 24 hour formatting. Defaults to 24.

Parameters

string $fieldName: Prefix name for the SELECT element
array $options optional: List of HTML attributes

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-hour-inputs

implementedEvents() ¶ public

implementedEvents(): array

Event listeners.

By defining one of the callback methods a helper is assumed to be interested in the related event.

Override this method if you need to add non-conventional event listeners. Or if you want helpers to listen to non-standard events.

Returns

array

initialize() ¶ public

initialize(array $config): void

Constructor hook method.

Implement this method to avoid having to overwrite the constructor and call parent.

Parameters

array $config: The configuration settings provided to this helper.

Returns

void

input() ¶ public

input(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Generates a form control element complete with label and wrapper div.

Parameters

string $fieldName: This should be "modelname.fieldname"
array $options optional: Each type of input takes different options.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-form-inputs

inputs() ¶ public

inputs(array $fields, array $options = []): string

Generate a set of controls for $fields wrapped in a fieldset element.

Parameters

array $fields

An array of the fields to generate. This array allows you to set custom types, labels, or other options.

array $options optional

Options array. Valid keys are:

fieldset Set to false to disable the fieldset. You can also pass an array of params to be applied as HTML attributes to the fieldset tag. If you pass an empty array, the fieldset will be enabled.
legend Set to false to disable the legend for the generated input set. Or supply a string to customize the legend text.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#generating-entire-forms

isFieldError() ¶ public

isFieldError(string $field): bool

Returns true if there is an error for the given field, otherwise false

Parameters

string $field: This should be "modelname.fieldname"

Returns

bool

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#displaying-and-checking-errors

label() ¶ public

label(string $fieldName, string|null $text = null, array $options = []): string

Returns a formatted LABEL element for HTML forms.

Will automatically generate a for attribute if one is not provided.

Options

for - Set the for attribute, if its not defined the for attribute will be generated from the $fieldName parameter using FormHelper::_domId().
escape - Set to false to turn off escaping of label text. Defaults to true.

Examples:

The text and for attribute are generated off of the fieldname

echo $this->Form->label('published');
<label for="PostPublished">Published</label>

Custom text:

echo $this->Form->label('published', 'Publish');
<label for="published">Publish</label>

Custom attributes:

echo $this->Form->label('published', 'Publish', [
  'for' => 'post-publish'
]);
<label for="post-publish">Publish</label>

Nesting an input tag:

echo $this->Form->label('published', 'Publish', [
  'for' => 'published',
  'input' => $this->text('published'),
]);
<label for="post-publish">Publish <input type="text" name="published"></label>

If you want to nest inputs in the labels, you will need to modify the default templates.

Parameters

string $fieldName: This should be "modelname.fieldname"
string|null $text optional: Text that will appear in the label field. If $text is left undefined the text will be inflected from the fieldName.
array $options optional: An array of HTML attributes.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-labels

meridian() ¶ public

meridian(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Returns a SELECT element for AM or PM.

Attributes:

empty - If true, the empty select option is shown. If a string, that string is displayed as the empty element.
value The selected value of the input.

Parameters

string $fieldName: Prefix name for the SELECT element
array $options optional: Array of options

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-meridian-inputs

minute() ¶ public

minute(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Returns a SELECT element for minutes.

Attributes:

empty - If true, the empty select option is shown. If a string, that string is displayed as the empty element.
value The selected value of the input.
interval The interval that minute options should be created at.
round How you want the value rounded when it does not fit neatly into an interval. Accepts 'up', 'down', and null.

Parameters

string $fieldName: Prefix name for the SELECT element
array $options optional: Array of options.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-minute-inputs

month() ¶ public

month(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Returns a SELECT element for months.

Options:

monthNames - If false, 2 digit numbers will be used instead of text. If an array, the given array will be used.
empty - If true, the empty select option is shown. If a string, that string is displayed as the empty element.
value The selected value of the input.

Parameters

string $fieldName: Prefix name for the SELECT element
array $options optional: Attributes for the select element

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-month-inputs

multiCheckbox() ¶ public

multiCheckbox(string $fieldName, array|Traversable $options, array $attributes = []): string

Creates a set of checkboxes out of options.

Options

escape - If true contents of options will be HTML entity encoded. Defaults to true.
val The selected value of the input.
class - When using multiple = checkbox the class name to apply to the divs. Defaults to 'checkbox'.
disabled - Control the disabled attribute. When creating checkboxes, true will disable all checkboxes. You can also set disabled to a list of values you want to disable when creating checkboxes.
hiddenField - Set to false to remove the hidden field that ensures a value is always submitted.
label - Either false to disable label around the widget or an array of attributes for the label tag. selected will be added to any classes e.g. 'class' => 'myclass' where widget is checked

Can be used in place of a select box with the multiple attribute.

Parameters

string $fieldName: Name attribute of the SELECT
array|Traversable $options: Array of the OPTION elements (as 'value'=>'Text' pairs) to be used in the checkboxes element.
array $attributes optional: The HTML attributes of the select element.

Returns

string

number() ¶ public @method

number(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Parameters

string $fieldName
array $options optional

Returns

string

password() ¶ public @method

password(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Parameters

string $fieldName
array $options optional

Returns

string

postButton() ¶ public

postButton(string $title, string|array $url, array $options = []): string

Create a <button> tag with a surrounding <form> that submits via POST as default.

This method creates a <form> element. So do not use this method in an already opened form. Instead use FormHelper::submit() or FormHelper::button() to create buttons inside opened forms.

Options:

data - Array with key/value to pass in input hidden
method - Request method to use. Set to 'delete' or others to simulate HTTP/1.1 DELETE (or others) request. Defaults to 'post'.
form - Array with any option that FormHelper::create() can take
Other options is the same of button method.
confirm - Confirm message to show. Form execution will only continue if confirmed then.

Parameters

string $title: The button's caption. Not automatically HTML encoded
string|array $url: URL as string or array
array $options optional: Array of options and HTML attributes.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-standalone-buttons-and-post-links

postLink() ¶ public

postLink(string $title, string|array|null $url = null, array $options = []): string

Creates an HTML link, but access the URL using the method you specify (defaults to POST). Requires javascript to be enabled in browser.

This method creates a <form> element. If you want to use this method inside of an existing form, you must use the block option so that the new form is being set to a view block that can be rendered outside of the main form.

If all you are looking for is a button to submit your form, then you should use FormHelper::button() or FormHelper::submit() instead.

Options:

data - Array with key/value to pass in input hidden
method - Request method to use. Set to 'delete' to simulate HTTP/1.1 DELETE request. Defaults to 'post'.
confirm - Confirm message to show. Form execution will only continue if confirmed then.
block - Set to true to append form to view block "postLink" or provide custom block name.
Other options are the same of HtmlHelper::link() method.
The option onclick will be replaced.

radio() ¶ public

radio(string $fieldName, array|Traversable $options = [], array $attributes = []): string

Creates a set of radio widgets.

Attributes:

value - Indicates the value when this radio button is checked.
label - Either false to disable label around the widget or an array of attributes for the label tag. selected will be added to any classes e.g. 'class' => 'myclass' where widget is checked
hiddenField - boolean to indicate if you want the results of radio() to include a hidden input with a value of ''. This is useful for creating radio sets that are non-continuous.
disabled - Set to true or disabled to disable all the radio buttons. Use an array of values to disable specific radio buttons.
empty - Set to true to create an input with the value '' as the first option. When true the radio label will be 'empty'. Set this option to a string to control the label value.

Parameters

string $fieldName: Name of a field, like this "modelname.fieldname"
array|Traversable $options optional: Radio button options array.
array $attributes optional: Array of attributes.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-radio-buttons

resetTemplates() ¶ public

resetTemplates(): void

Restores the default values built into FormHelper.

This method will not reset any templates set in custom widgets.

Returns

void

search() ¶ public @method

search(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Parameters

string $fieldName
array $options optional

Returns

string

secure() ¶ public

secure(array $fields = [], array $secureAttributes = []): string

Generates a hidden field with a security hash based on the fields used in the form.

If $secureAttributes is set, these HTML attributes will be merged into the hidden input tags generated for the Security Component. This is especially useful to set HTML5 attributes like 'form'.

Parameters

array $fields optional: If set specifies the list of fields to use when generating the hash, else $this->fields is being used.
array $secureAttributes optional: will be passed as HTML attributes into the hidden input elements generated for the Security Component.

Returns

string

select() ¶ public

select(string $fieldName, array|Traversable $options = [], array $attributes = []): string

Returns a formatted SELECT element.

Attributes:

multiple - show a multiple select box. If set to 'checkbox' multiple checkboxes will be created instead.
empty - If true, the empty select option is shown. If a string, that string is displayed as the empty element.
escape - If true contents of options will be HTML entity encoded. Defaults to true.
val The selected value of the input.
disabled - Control the disabled attribute. When creating a select box, set to true to disable the select box. Set to an array to disable specific option elements.

Using options

A simple array will create normal options:

$options = [1 => 'one', 2 => 'two'];
$this->Form->select('Model.field', $options));

While a nested options array will create optgroups with options inside them.

$options = [
 1 => 'bill',
    'fred' => [
        2 => 'fred',
        3 => 'fred jr.'
    ]
];
$this->Form->select('Model.field', $options);

If you have multiple options that need to have the same value attribute, you can use an array of arrays to express this:

$options = [
    ['text' => 'United states', 'value' => 'USA'],
    ['text' => 'USA', 'value' => 'USA'],
];

Parameters

string $fieldName: Name attribute of the SELECT
array|Traversable $options optional: Array of the OPTION elements (as 'value'=>'Text' pairs) to be used in the SELECT element
array $attributes optional: The HTML attributes of the select element.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-select-pickers

setConfig() ¶ public

setConfig(string|array $key, mixed|null $value = null, bool $merge = true): $this

Sets the config.

Usage

Setting a specific value:

$this->setConfig('key', $value);

Setting a nested value:

$this->setConfig('some.nested.key', $value);

Updating multiple config settings at the same time:

$this->setConfig(['one' => 'value', 'another' => 'value']);

Parameters

string|array $key: The key to set, or a complete array of configs.
mixed|null $value optional: The value to set.
bool $merge optional: Whether to recursively merge or overwrite existing config, defaults to true.

Returns

$this

Throws

Cake\Core\Exception\Exception
When trying to set a key that is invalid.

setTemplates() ¶ public

setTemplates(string[] $templates): $this

Sets templates to use.

Parameters

string[] $templates: Templates to be added.

Returns

$this

setValueSources() ¶ public

setValueSources(string|string[] $sources): $this

Sets the value sources.

Valid values are 'context', 'data' and 'query'. You need to supply one valid context or multiple, as a list of strings. Order sets priority.

Parameters

string|string[] $sources: A string or a list of strings identifying a source.

Returns

$this

setWidgetLocator() ¶ public

setWidgetLocator(Cake\View\Widget\WidgetLocator $instance): $this

Set the widget locator the helper will use.

Parameters

Cake\View\Widget\WidgetLocator $instance: The locator instance to set.

Returns

$this

submit() ¶ public

submit(string|null $caption = null, array $options = []): string

Creates a submit button element. This method will generate <input /> elements that can be used to submit, and reset forms by using $options. image submits can be created by supplying an image path for $caption.

Options

type - Set to 'reset' for reset inputs. Defaults to 'submit'
templateVars - Additional template variables for the input element and its container.
Other attributes will be assigned to the input element.

Parameters

string|null $caption optional: The label appearing on the button OR if string contains :// or the extension .jpg, .jpe, .jpeg, .gif, .png use an image if the extension exists, AND the first character is /, image is relative to webroot, OR if the first character is not /, image is relative to webroot/img.
array $options optional: Array of options. See above.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-buttons-and-submit-elements

templater() ¶ public

templater(): Cake\View\StringTemplate

Returns the templater instance.

Returns

Cake\View\StringTemplate

templates() ¶ public

templates(string|array|null $templates = null): $this|string|array

Gets/sets templates to use.

Parameters

string|array|null $templates optional: null or string allow reading templates. An array allows templates to be added.

Returns

$this|string|array

text() ¶ public @method

text(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Parameters

string $fieldName
array $options optional

Returns

string

textarea() ¶ public

textarea(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Creates a textarea widget.

Options:

escape - Whether or not the contents of the textarea should be escaped. Defaults to true.

Parameters

string $fieldName: Name of a field, in the form "modelname.fieldname"
array $options optional: Array of HTML attributes, and special options above.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-textareas

time() ¶ public

time(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Generate time inputs.

Options:

See dateTime() for time options.

Parameters

string $fieldName: Prefix name for the SELECT element
array $options optional: Array of Options

Returns

string

unlockField() ¶ public

unlockField(string|null $name = null): array|null

Add to or get the list of fields that are currently unlocked. Unlocked fields are not included in the field hash used by SecurityComponent unlocking a field once its been added to the list of secured fields will remove it from the list of fields.

Parameters

string|null $name optional: The dot separated name for the field.

Returns

array|null

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#working-with-securitycomponent

widget() ¶ public

widget(string $name, array $data = []): string

Render a named widget.

This is a lower level method. For built-in widgets, you should be using methods like text, hidden, and radio. If you are using additional widgets you should use this method render the widget without the label or wrapping div.

Parameters

string $name: The name of the widget. e.g. 'text'.
array $data optional: The data to render.

Returns

string

widgetRegistry() ¶ public

widgetRegistry(Cake\View\Widget\WidgetLocator|null $instance = null, array $widgets = []): Cake\View\Widget\WidgetLocator

Set the widget registry the helper will use.

Parameters

Cake\View\Widget\WidgetLocator|null $instance optional: The registry instance to set.
array $widgets optional: An array of widgets

Returns

Cake\View\Widget\WidgetLocator

year() ¶ public

year(string $fieldName, array $options = []): string

Returns a SELECT element for years

Attributes:

empty - If true, the empty select option is shown. If a string, that string is displayed as the empty element.
orderYear - Ordering of year values in select options. Possible values 'asc', 'desc'. Default 'desc'
value The selected value of the input.
maxYear The max year to appear in the select element.
minYear The min year to appear in the select element.

Parameters

string $fieldName: Prefix name for the SELECT element
array $options optional: Options & attributes for the select elements.

Returns

string

Links

https://book.cakephp.org/3/en/views/helpers/form.html#creating-year-inputs

Property Detail

`$Html` ¶ public @property

Type

Cake\View\Helper\HtmlHelper

Class FormHelper

Constants

Property Summary

Method Summary

__call() public

__construct() public

__debugInfo() public

__get() public

__set() public

_buildFieldToken() protected

_cleanConfirmMessage() protected

_clearIds() protected

_configDelete() protected

_configRead() protected

_configWrite() protected

_confirm() protected

_csrfField() protected

_datetimeOptions() protected

_domId() protected

_extractOption() protected

_formUrl() protected

_getContext() protected

_getInput() protected

_getLabel() protected

_groupTemplate() protected

_id() protected

_idSuffix() protected

_initInputField() protected

_inputContainerTemplate() protected

_inputLabel() protected

_inputType() protected

_isDisabled() protected

_lastAction() protected

_magicOptions() protected

_optionsOptions() protected

_parseOptions() protected

_secure() protected

_secureFieldName() protected

_singleDatetime() protected

addClass() public

addContextProvider() public

addWidget() public

allControls() public

allInputs() public deprecated

button() public

checkbox() public

config() public deprecated

configShallow() public

context() public

contextFactory() public

control() public

controls() public

create() public

date() public

dateTime() public

day() public

email() public @method

end() public

error() public

fieldset() public

file() public

formatTemplate() public

getConfig() public

getConfigOrFail() public

getSourceValue() public

getTemplates() public

getValueSources() public

getView() public

getWidgetLocator() public

hidden() public

hour() public

implementedEvents() public

initialize() public

input() public deprecated

inputs() public deprecated

isFieldError() public

label() public

meridian() public

minute() public