.serializeArray()
.serializeArray() Returns: Array
Description: Encode a set of form elements as an array of names and values.
version added: 1.2.serializeArray()
The .serializeArray() method creates a JavaScript array of objects, ready to be encoded as a JSON string. It operates on a jQuery object representing a set of form elements. The form elements can be of several types:
<form>
<div><input type="text" name="a" value="1" id="a" /></div>
<div><input type="text" name="b" value="2" id="b" /></div>
<div><input type="hidden" name="c" value="3" id="c" /></div>
<div>
<textarea name="d" rows="8" cols="40">4</textarea>
</div>
<div><select name="e">
<option value="5" selected="selected">5</option>
<option value="6">6</option>
<option value="7">7</option>
</select></div>
<div>
<input type="checkbox" name="f" value="8" id="f" />
</div>
<div>
<input type="submit" name="g" value="Submit" id="g" />
</div>
</form>
The .serializeArray() method uses the standard W3C rules for successful controls to determine which elements it should include; in particular the element cannot be disabled and must contain a name attribute. No submit button value is serialized since the form was not submitted using a button. Data from file select elements is not serialized.
This method can act on a jQuery object that has selected individual form elements, such as <input>, <textarea>, and <select>. However, it is typically easier to select the <form> tag itself for serialization:
$('form').submit(function() {
console.log($(this).serializeArray());
return false;
});
This produces the following data structure (provided that the browser supports console.log):
[
{
name: "a",
value: "1"
},
{
name: "b",
value: "2"
},
{
name: "c",
value: "3"
},
{
name: "d",
value: "4"
},
{
name: "e",
value: "5"
}
]
Example:
Get the values from a form, iterate through them, and append them to a results display.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
body, select { font-size:14px; }
form { margin:5px; }
p { color:red; margin:5px; }
b { color:blue; }
</style>
<script src="http://code.jquery.com/jquery-latest.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
<p><b>Results:</b> <span id="results"></span></p>
<form>
<select name="single">
<option>Single</option>
<option>Single2</option>
</select>
<select name="multiple" multiple="multiple">
<option selected="selected">Multiple</option>
<option>Multiple2</option>
<option selected="selected">Multiple3</option>
</select><br/>
<input type="checkbox" name="check" value="check1" id="ch1"/>
<label for="ch1">check1</label>
<input type="checkbox" name="check" value="check2" checked="checked" id="ch2"/>
<label for="ch2">check2</label>
<input type="radio" name="radio" value="radio1" checked="checked" id="r1"/>
<label for="r1">radio1</label>
<input type="radio" name="radio" value="radio2" id="r2"/>
<label for="r2">radio2</label>
</form>
<script>
function showValues() {
var fields = $(":input").serializeArray();
$("#results").empty();
jQuery.each(fields, function(i, field){
$("#results").append(field.value + " ");
});
}
$(":checkbox, :radio").click(showValues);
$("select").change(showValues);
showValues();
</script>
</body>
</html>