Using get_submit_button to generate submit button markup in WordPress

The get_submit_button function in WordPress is a mechanism that generates a submit button. This function is part of WordPress’s form API, and it is primarily used in the creation of forms within the WordPress admin interface. The function’s output is a string containing the HTML markup for a submit button.

The get_submit_button function can be utilized in various contexts, such as when creating custom settings pages, meta boxes, or any other forms within the WordPress admin area. The function aids in maintaining a consistent look and feel across the WordPress admin interface by generating a standardized submit button, which adheres to the WordPress admin style guide.

While the function is primarily intended for use within the WordPress admin interface, it can also be used in the front-end of a WordPress site, if needed. However, it’s important to note that the styling of the button may not align with the site’s front-end design, as the function’s output is designed to match the WordPress admin style guide.

Parameters Accepted by the get_submit_button Function in WordPress

The get_submit_button function in WordPress accepts several parameters, each of which is optional and has a default value. These parameters are used to customize the characteristics and appearance of the submit button.

  • $text(string): This parameter sets the text displayed on the button. If it’s not specified, the default text ‘Save Changes’ will be used.
  • $type(string): This parameter determines the type and CSS class(es) of the button. The core values are ‘primary’, ‘small’, and ‘large’. If not specified, the default value used will be ‘primary large’.
  • $name(string): This parameter specifies the HTML name of the submit button. If no id attribute is provided in $other_attributes, $name will be used as the button’s id. The default value for this parameter is ‘submit’.
  • $wrap(bool): This parameter indicates whether the output button should be wrapped in a paragraph tag. By default, this is set to true.
  • $other_attributes(arraystring): This parameter allows for additional attributes to be output with the button, mapping attributes to their values. For example, array( ‘tabindex’ => ‘1’ ). The default value for this parameter is an empty string.

Return Value of the get_submit_button Function

The get_submit_button function returns a string that represents the HTML of the submit button. This allows for easy integration of the button into the webpage’s HTML structure.

Examples

How to Create a Basic Submit Button in WordPress

This code snippet demonstrates the most common usage of the get_submit_button function in WordPress: creating a basic submit button.

<?php echo get_submit_button(); ?>

The get_submit_button function without any parameters will return a standard submit button with the text “Save Changes”. The button will be wrapped in a p tag with a class of “submit”.

How to Customize the Text and CSS Class of a Submit Button in WordPress

This code snippet demonstrates how to use the get_submit_button function to create a submit button with custom text and a custom CSS class.

<?php echo get_submit_button('Submit Form', 'primary large', 'myButton');
?>

In this example, the get_submit_button function is used with three parameters. The first parameter is the text that will be displayed on the button, the second parameter is the CSS class that will be applied to the button, and the third parameter is the ID that will be assigned to the button. The resulting button will have the text “Submit Form”, the CSS classes “button-primary button-large”, and the ID “myButton”.

How to Create a Secondary Submit Button in WordPress

This code snippet demonstrates how to use the get_submit_button function to create a secondary submit button.

<?php echo get_submit_button('Reset Form', 'secondary', 'resetButton');
?>

In this example, the get_submit_button function is used with three parameters. The first parameter is the text that will be displayed on the button, the second parameter is the CSS class that will be applied to the button, and the third parameter is the ID that will be assigned to the button. The resulting button will have the text “Reset Form”, the CSS classes “button-secondary”, and the ID “resetButton”. This button can be used as a secondary action, such as resetting a form to its default values.

Conclusion

The get_submit_button function in WordPress is a utility function that generates a submit button with a specified text and type. It can be utilized in various contexts, such as in forms where user input is required to be submitted. This function is integral to WordPress development as it simplifies the process of creating submit buttons, thereby enhancing the efficiency of coding tasks.

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