How to Use the Rails form_for Method

09/20/2021

Contents

In this article, you will learn how to use the Rails form_for method.

Rails form_for Method

The form_for method in Rails is used to generate a form that corresponds to a specific model instance. Here are the basic steps to use the form_for method:

  • In your controller action, create a new instance of the model that the form will correspond to:

    def new
  @user = User.new
end

  • In your view file, use the form_for method to create the form:

    <%= form_for @user do |f| %>
  # Form fields go here
<% end %>

    The form_for method takes the instance variable of the model as its argument. It also takes a block that contains the form fields.

  • Inside the form_for block, use the f variable to create form fields:

    <%= form_for @user do |f| %>
  <%= f.label :name %>
  <%= f.text_field :name %>

  <%= f.label :email %>
  <%= f.email_field :email %>

  <%= f.submit %>
<% end %>

    In this example, f.label and f.text_field create a label and text input for the user’s name, while f.label and f.email_field create a label and email input for the user’s email. The f.submit method creates a submit button for the form.

  • In your controller, define the action that will handle the form submission:

    def create
  @user = User.new(user_params)

  if @user.save
    # Handle successful form submission
  else
    render :new
  end
end

private

def user_params
  params.require(:user).permit(:name, :email)
end

    In this example, the create action creates a new instance of the User model using the parameters submitted in the form. The user_params method is used to sanitize the parameters and permit only the specified fields.

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