Prototype - Form serializeElements() Method

This method serializes an array of form elements to a string suitable for Ajax requests (default behavior) or, if optional getHash evaluates to true, an object hash where keys are form control names and values are data.

The preferred method to serialize a form is Form.serialize. However, with serializeElements you can serialize specific input elements of your choice.

Syntax

Form.serializeElements(elements [,getHash = false]);

Return Value

It returns a String object.

Example

Consider the following example −

<html>
   <head>
      <title>Prototype examples</title>
      <script type = "text/javascript" src = "/javascript/prototype.js"></script>
      
      <script>
         function showResult() {
            var form = $('example'); 
            var arr = form.getInputs('text');
            var element = Form.serializeElements( arr ); 
            alert("Serialized String : " + element.inspect());
         }
      </script>
   </head>

   <body>
      <p>Click the button to see the result.</p>
      <br />

      <form id = "example" action = "#" onsubmit = "return false">
         <fieldset>
            <legend>User info</legend>
            <div>
               <label for = "username">Username:</label> 
               <input name = "username" id = "username" value = "Sulien" type = "text">
            </div>
            <div><label for = "age">Age:</label> 
               <input name = "age" id = "age" value = "23" size = "3" type = "text">
            </div>
            <div>
               <label for = "hobbies">Your hobbies are:</label>
               <select name = "hobbies" id = "hobbies" multiple = "multiple">
                  <option>coding</option>
                  <option>swimming</option>
                  <option>hiking</option>
                  <option>drawing</option>
               </select>
            </div>
         </fieldset>
      </form>
      <br />
      
      <input type = "button" value = "Result" onclick = "showResult();"/>
   </body>
</html>

Output

prototype_form_management.htm