Validating Custom Meta Box Values & Required Fields

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Something which I have never seen covered is the best way to validate that specific form fields are filled out correctly for custom post type meta boxes.

I am looking to get expert opinions on how best to validate custom fields for any metaboxes that one might create. My interest are to:

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  • ensure field validation takes place before the post is published/updated
  • utilizing a class/code which does not conflict with other wordpress javascript
  • allows you to define specific fields as required while others could be optional
  • validate fields based on customizable rules including regex for things like email format
  • control the visual display of any errors/notices

Thanks in advance!

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5 comments

  1. The easiest way is to add Javascript validation via the jQuery Validate plugin. Here’s the most basic walkthrough:

    Near your add_meta_box call, enqueue the jQuery Validate plugin as well as a JS file for your simple script:

    add_action('admin_enqueue_scripts', 'add_my_js');   
function add_my_js(){    
  wp_enqueue_script('my_validate', 'path/to/jquery.validate.min.js', array('jquery'));
  wp_enqueue_script('my_script_js', 'path/to/my_script.js');
}

    Then in my_script.js include the following:

    jQuery().ready(function() {
    jQuery("#post").validate();
});

    This will enable validation on the post form. Then in the add_meta_box callback where you define the custom fields, you’d add a “required” class for each field you wish to validate, like so:

    <input type="text" name="my_custom_text_field" class="required"/>

    All fields with “required” in their class will be validated when the post is saved/published/updated. All of the other validation options (rules, error styling, etc) can be set in the document.ready function in my_script.js; check the jQuery Validate docs for all the options.

  3. The Complete Basic Code to add jQuery Validation:

    1. Enqueue the validation script. I assume jQuery is already enqued.

      add_action('admin_enqueue_scripts',function($id){
    $validation',$validation_js_url = #your validation.js source;
    wp_register_script( 'validation',$validation_js_url,array(),'',true );
    wp_enqueue_script( 'validation' );
});

    2. In the js file or script tag:

      jQuery(document).ready(function($){
    var form = $("form[name='post']");
    $(form).find("input[type='submit']").click(function(e){
        e.preventDefault();
        $(form).validate();

        if($(form).valid())
        {
            $("#ajax-loading").show();
            $(form).submit();
        }else{
            $("#publish").removeClass().addClass("button-primary");
            $("#ajax-loading").hide();
        }
    });
});

    3. Done 🙂

  4. I used this code, very helpful, justa changed:

    $(form).find("input[type='submit']").click(function(e){

    To:

    $(form).find("#publish").click(function(e){

    ‘Cause if you have another form inside the main form this start the script.

    And:

    $(form).submit();

    To:

    $(this).submit();

    ‘Cause the first line only save the post as draft and you can’t publish it no more.

    Written everything here: http://allgraphics.it/blog/2012/10/jquery-validation-sui-campi-di-input-postcustom-post-di-wordpress/