Not a nested form, but a form within a form??

[WolfShade]

Hello, all.

I've been given a task to add a file upload form to a page whereby all of the contents of the page are already contained within a form.  I know that it is not possible to nest form tags; however, would it be possible to place an iFrame within the form that contained another form, without being considered nested, and without screwing up the original form?

Or would it be better to just place the iFrame in a div outside the form, and keep it hidden until called upon?

I suppose that I _could_ just use a JavaScript popup to use another form; but if I can avoid that AND get this to work, that would be preferred.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

^_^

[JMF3 · Accepted solution]

Not sure that an iFrame would work, but try a form in a hidden div, so at

least it's structurally outside the master form. Then display the hidden

div when it's needed.

[ilssac]

JMF wrote:

Not sure that an iFrame would work,

Depending on what your definition of "work" is?

It will work in the HTML interpreted by a web server and browser.

How well it would work in a user interface is an entirely different matter.

I think it would be hard to do this in a clear and understandable way.

[ilssac]

A beleive all those options are technically viable.

I think your biggest question is how to incorperate this into an user interface that works for the user.  I.E. How to present this "internal" form is such a way that users clearly understand that it is a sepereate and distinct form and that submitting data with this form does not submit data with the other form and vice a versa.

[Dan_Bracuk]

If it clearly is a second form, make it come either before or after the first one.

[Dave Watts]

Yes, you can place a separate form within an iframe. However, as Ian points out, the problem you'll have is a UX problem - how will you synchronize the submission of data between the two forms? I'm sure you can get where you want to get, but you'll definitely need to spend a bit more time testing this part.

Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software

http://www.figleaf.com/

http://training.figleaf.com/

Fig Leaf Software is a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) on

GSA Schedule, and provides the highest caliber vendor-authorized

instruction at our training centers, online, or onsite.

Read this before you post:

http://forums.adobe.com/thread/607238

[WolfShade]

Thank you, everyone, for your input.

There isn't (at least, not intended) going to be synchronization between the two forms.  The second form is just for uploading documents that are related to a particular entity of which the original form will contain information, but submitting one form does not require submission of the other; they will be two separate processes, using separate queries for both retrieving data and submitting updates/inserts/deletes to the database.

Based upon everyone's feedback, I'm inclined to believe that a hidden div outside the original form is the best course of action, for this.

Thanks,

^_^