181

How can you have a hidden field with simple form?

The following code:

= simple_form_for @movie do |f|
  = f.hidden :title, "some value"
  = f.button :submit

results in this error:

undefined method `hidden' for #SimpleForm::FormBuilder:0x000001042b7cd0
Michael Durrant
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Linus Oleander
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5 Answers5

327

try this

= f.input :title, :as => :hidden, :input_html => { :value => "some value" }
fl00r
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    Thanks, that worked. `= f.input :title, :as => :hidden, :input_html => { :value => "some value" }` – Linus Oleander Mar 20 '11 at 21:14
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    This is the `simple_form` way to do hidden inputs, however, if only a hidden input is needed, then just use Rails' `hidden_field` form builder since Simple Form inherits all the form builder methods. – scarver2 Nov 04 '14 at 01:18
290

Shortest Yet !!!

=f.hidden_field :title, :value => "some value"

Shorter, DRYer and perhaps more obvious.

Of course with ruby 1.9 and the new hash format we can go 3 characters shorter with...

=f.hidden_field :title, value: "some value"
Michael Durrant
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    Or <%= f.hidden_field :term_id, :value => @transaction.term_id %> – mirap Nov 11 '15 at 18:05
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    This should be the accepted answer. Even though the question asked about simple form, there is no reason to use it when this accomplishes the exact same thing with a shorter syntax. – Greg Blass Feb 24 '17 at 23:21
  • when using custom name or using the `input_html` key, this did not seem to work as expected. The accepted answer worked better – emmaakachukwu May 01 '23 at 02:39
5

Correct way (if you are not trying to reset the value of the hidden_field input) is: 

f.hidden_field :method, :value => value_of_the_hidden_field_as_it_comes_through_in_your_form

Where :method is the method that when called on the object results in the value you want

So following the example above:

= simple_form_for @movie do |f|
  = f.hidden :title, "some value"
  = f.button :submit

The code used in the example will reset the value (:title) of @movie being passed by the form. If you need to access the value (:title) of a movie, instead of resetting it, do this: 

= simple_form_for @movie do |f|
  = f.hidden :title, :value => params[:movie][:title]
  = f.button :submit

Again only use my answer is you do not want to reset the value submitted by the user.

I hope this makes sense.

Uzzar
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    For `simple_form_for`, the `hidden` method using here is going to raise an error `undefined method `hidden' for #` – Kiry Meas Jul 02 '18 at 17:29
4
= f.input_field :title, as: :hidden, value: "some value"

Is also an option. Note, however, that it skips any wrapper defined for your form builder.

Fuad Saud
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0

None of the above worked perfectly in my case, as they were leaving a blank rectangle on my frontend. What worked for me was -

<%= f.text_field :title, value: "some value", type: "hidden" %>

Mandeep Ashiya
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