In one site, members can add links to a links page - they supply the url to an external site, the link text and a brief description. The info is held in the fields {f_link_url}, {f_link_text} & {f_link_desc} respectively.

Sometimes users enter the url in the form:

and sometimes in the form

If I just use the EE code

then I have a problem with the first form, as EE generates an internal link to a none existant page, rather than to the true external site :-(

So my question is: Is there a simple way in EE to force to prefix the contents of {f_link_url} with ‘http://’ if needed?

BTW I dont want to use the option in weblog admin to ‘automatically turn urls ..into links’, as this uses the url for the link text, which can look extremely messy when the page is from other CMS’s.

Hmm,

I think you are going to need to use PHP on that or create a plugin to do what you need. On the other hand, where are the users inputting this information. If it is through a Stand-Alone Entry Form or any other place other than the control panel then you could use some javascript regex validation on the field to make sure that they put in the http:// bit. The best Javascript validation routine I have ever come across is Live Validation.

That would work for you.

Hope that helps?

Best wishes,

Mark

Hi Mark and thanks for the quick reply

I was afraid that that might be the answer ... sigh

Not the only answer though. I will have more of a think on this one. I just wrote what I did really fast as I am in the middle of recording a radio advert so didn’t have a lot of time!!

Will have more of a thought about this later on.

Best wishes,

Mark

thanks

BTW has your avatar just changed?
the hair looks spikier somehow

One other option is to check the value of the field for the text string of http:// (first 7 characters) and if they aren’t http:// pre-pend http:// to the field.

Another possible plugin.

I’m not a plugin person - (I’ve only written two of them), but I know I’d use it. Clients frequently don’t put in data correctly.

Sadly I’m not a plugin person either.

I had thought about that approach, but thought that I should check first before trying to re-invent the wheel.

BTW It wasn’t just customers entering data wrongly I spotted it after entering a new link myself!

Jan_Huygens - 31 January 2008 07:38 AM

BTW It wasn’t just customers entering data wrongly I spotted it after entering a new link myself!

Tut tut that will never do!!

I will just have to write you a plugin then won’t I?

May have to be later on tonight as I am stacked out with work at the moment but will give this a shot for you!

Best wishes,

Mark

Brilliant

Thats really kind and very much appreciated indeed.

Mark, in your copious free time, a Complete Beginner’s Guide to Writing Your First Plugin would be a *great thing*.

Copious free time? You must be joking!!

I do have 25 pairs of hands though. Slight problem as I only have the one brain!!

Best wishes,

Mark

Hi Jan,

Just to let you know that I am pretty sure I have something working now. I will upload it tonight once I get back from my in-laws as I need to go and fix a computer!
Will test it out thoroughly as well but I am almost certain it will do what you need it to!

Best wishes,

Mark

I’m looking forward to trying out your latest lifesaver.

You really are a master of multi-tasking - may your 25 hands never grow less

Well the time comes for me to unleash another plugin on the ExpressionEngine world!!

Neat Link. I really do need to start thinking up some better names for these things though.

Hope it works for you Jan.

Best wishes,

Mark

It does indeed.

What more can I say? [cept of course, thanks!!]

No problem. Glad to have been able to help.

New version on that page now has class, rel and id parameters too!

Best wishes,

Mark

Mark Bowen - 31 January 2008 09:09 AM

I do have 25 pairs of hands though. Slight problem as I only have the one brain!!

That made me laugh.

Just to note: don’t forget the power of well documented fields in the Control Panel. I add instructions to every field in the CP. On a field like you have, I might put:

URL (Link)
Instructions: Enter the whole link here, including ‘http:’//’ (i.e. http://www.site.com)

Yep a very good point about the field instructions.

The only problem being that clients and users don’t always read what is placed directly in front of them

In this instance this kind of plugin comes in really handy as you don’t then have to worry if they have done the job correctly or not.

Best wishes,

Mark