Skip to main content
E
edinav24550678
Known Participant
September 12, 2023
Question

How can I make the search form in my navigation Bar work? Using Bootstrap 4

  • September 12, 2023
  • 4 replies
  • 1138 views

Hello all,

 

I've made a website in Dreamweaver using Bootstrap 4 and it includes a navigation bar with a search button.

 

This is the code of the search button:

<form class="d-flex"> <input class="form-control me-2" type="text" placeholder="Search site"> <button class="btn btn-searcher" type="button">🔍</button> </form> </div></nav> <form class="form-inline my-2 my-xs-0 small-screen"></form>

 

I've tried to search internet on how to add data to my website for the search form, but I did not find a clear anwer.

I know how to add meta-tags to a page, but I don't think that's enough.

 

Can someone explain to me step-by-step how I should proceed?

 

Thank you!

p.s. Please let me know it you need more information.
    This topic has been closed for replies.

    4 replies

    BenPleysier
    Community Expert
    BenPleysierCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 13, 2023

    Please be reminded that Bootstrap 4 has reached its End of Life (EOL) on the 1st Jan 2023.

     

    You should be using Bootstrap 5

    Wappler is the DMXzone-made Dreamweaver replacement and includes the best of their powerful extensions, as well as much more!
      E
      edinav24550678Author
      Known Participant
      September 27, 2023

      I will use Bootstrap 5. However, I made the last website with Bootstrap 4 and will keep it that way for now.

        Nancy OShea
        Community Expert
        Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 12, 2023

        Get Google Search and add it to your Navbar search form.

        https://developers.google.com/custom-search/docs/tutorial/implementingsearchbox

         

         

         

        Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
        B i r n o u
        B i r n o u
        Legend
        September 12, 2023

        as tell you @Jon Fritz first place to check is your web hotel, to see if they propose such form processing script.

        then, in order to help you step by step, implementing a search engine on your site first requires a few points of clarification:

         

        In short, as you can see, it's not possible to propose any ideas without clarifying what you want to put in place.

        E
        edinav24550678Author
        Known Participant
        September 12, 2023

        I just want users to be able to search the site on names and terms used in the pages on the site, for instance "conference', "Great Expectations" etc  that might interest them, in the form of meta tags in the html-code. I'm striving to publish the site within three days, but I'm thinking to hide the search button for the time being, for I don't think I can accomplish this in such a short time.

        Spell or syntax checker might be handy, but this is not my first priority. My site contains Dutch and English text, so I like to have a bilingual search.

        Hopefully I've made my intentions a bit clearer.

        Nancy OShea
        Community Expert
        Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 12, 2023

        In the absense of a database driven site to search, you must use a 3rd party search engine.

         

        The world's most popular search engine is Google.  Create an account and follow the steps on Google Developer's site.

        https://programmablesearchengine.google.com/controlpanel/create

         

         

        Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
        Jon Fritz
        Community Expert
        Jon FritzCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 12, 2023

        The forms in Bootstrap templates don't actually "do" anything, they're just the bare HTML and CSS of the front-end of a form. You'll need to connect them to a form processing script. 

        Your hosting company may have a form processing script available to you, with the instructions to implement it. Contact them to see what, if anything is available for use. If they don't have a script, they should at least be able to point you in the right direction as to what you can use, based on what's installed on your server.

        With a search box, you'll need to have a database driven site, or your search functionality is going to be very limited and clunky. Adding a Google Search bar may be an option for you

        E
        edinav24550678Author
        Known Participant
        September 12, 2023

        Hello Jon Fritz,

        Can you tell me how a form processing script works? I use Dreamweaver CC.

        Jon Fritz
        Community Expert
        Jon FritzCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 12, 2023

        A form processing script resides on your server and takes information submitted to it from your form, processes it.

        They can do all kinds of things, from sending emails, to uploading images, to spitting out search results.

        They can also do absolutely nothing, if installed on a server that's not set up for them.

        Dreamweaver can't create a form processing script for you, that you'll need either a fairly experienced programmer, a 3rd party script, or a third party app (like Google) that moves all the heavy lifting off your server.

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices