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expressionengine

expression engine dynamic variable names: {slide_{index}_title}

I am using a simple looping plugin so that my template looks like this:

{exp:loop_plus start="1" end="4" increment="1"}
<h3>{slide_{index}_title}</h3>
{/exp:loop_plus}

However, I am ending up with the following output:

<h3>{slide_1_title}</h3>
<h3>{slide_2_title}</h3>
<h3>{slide_3_title}</h3>
<h3>{slide_4_title}</h3>

Is there any way I can have dynamic variable names like this? I am not looking for alternative methods for building a slider, I simply would like to know if the dynamic variable names like this is possible. Thanks!

Solution

  • I'm assuming that Loop Plus (http://devot-ee.com/add-ons/loop-plus) sets the {index} part, so the question is what is defining {slide_1_title}...?

    Assuming you have an entry field or variable with this defined, what you have is correct, but if it's not working, it means there's a parsing order issue.

    Let's assume the code you supplied is wrapped in a {exp:channel:entries} tag pair, what happens is EE will try to parse the variable first, so will see: {slide_{index}_title} which doesn't exist. The {exp:loop_plus} add-on will then parse it, converting it to {slide_1_title} (but to late as channel:entries has already tried to parse it), which is what is finally output to the template.

    So what you want to ensure is that EE parses {exp:loop_plus} before {exp:channel:entries}, do this using parse="inward" tag:

    {exp:loop_plus start="1" end="4" increment="1" parse="inward"}
    <h3>{slide_{index}_title}</h3>
{/exp:loop_plus}

    This is a global EE parameter that EE uses to control parse order - you won't find it documented under the specific add-on. By adding the parameter, it means this child tag will get parsed before it's parent.