Sending checkbox data through <a href>

Question

I need to send checkbox values (in a number from 1 to N checkboxes) through an <a href></a>.

I was thinking about using javascript for that, but I don't know if it is possible to use the checkbox values in a context external from <form></form>.

Any suggestions?

EDIT-1: i want to get the checkbox values and then navigate to a URL with those values as GET parameters, i.e. index.php?c1=1&c2=0&c3=0

Answer 1

Don't do it the hard way. Just put them in a GET form the usual way and submit the form on click of the link.

<form name="myform" action="index.php">
    <input type="checkbox" name="c1" value="1" />
    <input type="checkbox" name="c2" value="1" />
    <input type="checkbox" name="c3" value="1" />
    <input type="checkbox" name="c4" value="1" />
    <input type="checkbox" name="c5" value="1" />
    <a href="#" onclick="myform.submit(); return false;">send</a>
</form>

Alternatively, to be completely free of JS (so that it also works in screenreaders, ancient mobiles and such), use a regular submit button, but throw in some CSS to make it look like a link:

<form action="index.php">
    <input type="checkbox" name="c1" value="1" />
    <input type="checkbox" name="c2" value="1" />
    <input type="checkbox" name="c3" value="1" />
    <input type="checkbox" name="c4" value="1" />
    <input type="checkbox" name="c5" value="1" />
    <input type="submit" value="send" class="link" />
</form>

with e.g.

input[type=submit].link {
    background: none;
    border: none;
    color: blue;
    text-decoration: underline;
    cursor: pointer;
}