HTML form with multiple “actions”

Question

I'm setting up a form wherein I need two "actions" (two buttons):

1 - "Submit this form for approval"
2 - "Save this application for later"

How do I create an HTML form that supports multiple "actions"?

EG:

<form class="form-horizontal" action="submit_for_approval.php">
<form class="form-horizontal" action="save_for_later.php">

I need to combine these two options-for-submitting into one form.

I did some basic research but couldn't find a definitive answer as to whether or not this is possible, and/or any good resources to links for a workaround.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

the best way (for me) to make it it's the next infrastructure:

<form method="POST">
<input type="submit" formaction="default_url_when_press_enter" style="visibility: hidden; display: none;">
<!-- all your inputs -->
<input><input><input>
<!-- all your inputs -->
<button formaction="action1">Action1</button>
<button formaction="action2">Action2</button>
<input type="submit" value="Default Action">
</form>

with this structure you will send with enter a direction and the infinite possibilities for the rest of buttons.

Answer 2

As @AliK mentioned, this can be done easily by looking at the value of the submit buttons.

When you submit a form, unset variables will evaluate false. If you set both submit buttons to be part of the same form, you can just check and see which button has been set.

HTML:

<form action="handle_user.php" method="POST" />
  <input type="submit" value="Save" name="save" />
  <input type="submit" value="Submit for Approval" name="approve" />
</form>

PHP

if($_POST["save"]) {
  //User hit the save button, handle accordingly
}
//You can do an else, but I prefer a separate statement
if($_POST["approve"]) {
  //User hit the Submit for Approval button, handle accordingly
}

EDIT

---

If you'd rather not change your PHP setup, try this: http://pastebin.com/j0GUF7MV
This is the JavaScript method @AliK was reffering to.

Related:

• 2x submit buttons to action different URL
• Submit form to another page (which is different from the page used in ACTION)