How to Display Data Based on User Input Using Ajax, PHP, and MySQL

Learn how to fetch and display data based on user input using Ajax and PHP without navigating to a new page. Enhance your web development skills today!
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Display Data Based on User Input Using Ajax, PHP, and MySQL

When building interactive web applications, one common requirement is to display data dynamically based on user input. In this guide, we will walk through how to achieve this when a user selects a date and presses a button. Instead of redirecting to a new page to display the results, we can use Ajax to update the content seamlessly within the same page.

Understanding the Problem

You have a layout with two columns: a side column containing a form with a date input and a button, and a middle column intended to display the results returned from a MySQL database based on the user's date selection. Currently, the data is fetched successfully but displayed on a new page, which is not the desired functionality.

Current Setup

Side Column: Contains a date input and a button to submit the selection.

Middle Column: Intended to show the summary report based on the selected date.

Breaking Down the Solution

Let’s outline the steps needed to implement the desired functionality:

1. Modify the HTML Structure

The HTML structure within the side column already looks good. Here’s how it might look:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This creates a date input for the user to select a date and a button to trigger the data fetching process.

2. The JavaScript Function

We will update the JavaScript function to make an Ajax request when the button is clicked. Here’s the complete code for the myFunction() that will handle the request:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In this code:

We retrieve the user-selected date.

If the request is successful, we update the middle column with the returned data.

3. PHP Script to Handle the Request

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation:

We retrieve the selected date from the Ajax request.

A SQL query counts records in the database that match the selected date and other conditions.

We output the result, which will be received by the JavaScript function and displayed in the middle column.

4. Displaying Results

Make sure your middle column is ready to display data. Here’s an example of how it might look in your HTML:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By leveraging Ajax along with PHP and MySQL, you can create a seamless user experience on your web pages, allowing for dynamic data display without the need for page reloads. Implement the discussed changes, and watch your application become more interactive and user-friendly!

Now you can dynamically display data based on user input, improving your web app's functionality. Start enhancing your projects with these techniques today!