Show/hide JSF2 form using selectBooleanCheckbox

Question

Hi guys,

I am using JSF2 and Java to build a web application. I want to build a form like the one at the picture below:

When somebody unchecks the checkbox the form should disappear:

Here is an example with gwt.

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So far, I tried some stuff with the <f:ajax> tag and an PropertyActionListener in the managedBean but it didn't work. Can somebody give me an example or at least some hints to accomplish my goal. I would be really thankfull

Answer 1

You could do it by jQuery, or another JavaScript. It is also possible by <f:ajax>, but it connects to the server, which you don't need here.

By jQuery you can just hide the form, not changing the DOM. As far as I understand, it should be enough.

Post some .xhtml if you want more :)

Answer 2

As suggested by amorfis, the idea of using Ajax here is not the best solution, as you will do a call to your server for a client-side manipulation.

The best solution is to use Javascript to hide your component(s). For example, if all your labels and input texts are nested in a <h:panelGrid> component, you can do that:

<script type="text/javascript">
    function hideOrShow(show) {
        // Get the panel using its ID
        var obj = document.getElementById("myForm:myPanel");
        if (show) {
            obj.style.display = "block";
        } else {
            obj.style.display = "none";
        }
    }
</script>

<h:form id="myForm">
    <h:selectBooleanCheckbox id="myCheckbox" onclick="hideOrShow(this.checked);"/>

    <h:panelGrid id="myPanel" columns="2">
        ...
    </h:panelGrid>
</h:form>

Answer 3

Use <f:ajax event="click" render="@form"> in the checkbox and give the component containing the form elements a rendered attribute which depends on the checkbox's state. No need for another JS code clutter.

<h:form>
    <fieldset>
        <legend>
            <h:selectBooleanCheckbox binding="#{showUserInfo}">
                <f:ajax event="click" render="@form" />
            </h:selectBooleanCheckbox>
            <h:outputText value="User information" />
        </legend>
        <h:panelGroup rendered="#{not empty showUserInfo.value and showUserInfo.value}">
            <p>
                <h:outputLabel for="firstName" value="First name:" />
                <h:inputText id="firstName" value="#{bean.user.firstName}" />
            </p>
        </h:panelGroup>
    </fieldset>
</h:form>

The above example binds the checkbox to the view, you can of course also bind it to a boolean bean property, you can then remove the not empty check from the rendered attribute.

            <h:selectBooleanCheckbox value="#{bean.showUserInfo}">

...

        <h:panelGroup rendered="#{bean.showUserInfo}">