Create multi-step forms easily in Laravel

Multi-step forms are an excellent way to simplify the user experience when interacting with web applications. In this article, we will show you how to create such forms using Laravel, a popular PHP framework that makes it easy to develop robust and scalable web applications. This guide is intended for anyone looking to improve the usability of their online forms.

What is a Multi-Step Form?

A multi-step form is a design technique that breaks a lengthy form into more manageable sections. Instead of presenting all input fields at once, they are presented in a staggered manner, which helps reduce cognitive load and improves the user experience.

Creating a Multi-Step Form in Laravel

Laravel provides tools and features that make it easy to create complex forms. Below, we outline the basic steps for implementing a multi-step form in your Laravel application.

1. Setting Up the Environment

Before you begin, ensure you have a properly configured Laravel environment. This involves having Composer installed and a database ready to use. Make sure your Laravel project is up and running.

2. Create the Routes

The first step in implementing a multi-step form is to define the routes in your web.php file. You will need to create routes to display each step of the form and to handle data submission.

Route::get('/step-1', 'FormController@stepOne')->name('step-1');
Route::post('/step-1', 'FormController@saveStepOne')->name('save-step-1');
Route::get('/step-2', 'FormController@stepTwo')->name('step-2');
Route::post('/step-2', 'FormController@saveStepTwo')->name('save-step-2');
// Add more steps as needed

3. Create the Controller

Next, you will need a controller to handle the form logic. You can create a controller using the following Artisan command:

php artisan make:controller FormController

In your controller, you will have methods for each step of the form and for saving the entered data. Be sure to use sessions to store information between steps.

public function stepOne(Request $request) {
    return view('form.step1');
}

public function saveStepOne(Request $request) {
    // Validate and save data in the session
    $request->validate([
        'field1' => 'required',
        // Other validations
    ]);
    session()->put('field1', $request->field1);

    return redirect()->route('step-2');
}

4. Form View

Now it’s time to create the views for each step. You can use Blade, Laravel's templating engine, to create view files. For example, the view file for step one might look like this:

<form action="{{ route('save-step-1') }}" method="POST">
    @csrf
    <label for="field1">Field 1:</label>
    <input type="text" name="field1" id="field1" required>
    <button type="submit">Next</button>
</form>

5. Proceed to the Next Step

Repeat the process for each step of your form. Make sure to retrieve the session data in subsequent views to pre-fill fields if necessary. Finally, when you reach the last step, you will be able to process the final information and save it to your database.

Conclusion

Creating multi-step forms in Laravel is a straightforward process that enhances the user experience in your web applications. By following these basic steps, you will be able to implement more user-friendly and efficient forms. If you wish to delve deeper into more web development techniques and get updated news, I invite you to read more content on my blog.