How to pass dynamic ignore parameter to jQuery validation plugin

[ExcitedGamer85]

I’m working with the jQuery validation plugin and need help with a specific issue. I have a variable that stores CSS classes that should be ignored during validation, but I can’t figure out how to pass this variable into the validate method.

Here’s my current setup:

$(document).ready(function(){
    var skipElements = "";
    
    // Show/hide sections based on user type selection
    $("#userType").change(function() {
        switch ($(this).val()){
            case 'new-client':
                $(".section_all").hide();
                $("#section_1").show();
                skipElements = '.field2,.field4,.field5';
                break;
            case 'existing-client':
                $(".section_all").hide();
                $("#section_2").show();
                skipElements = '.field1,.field4,.field5';
                break;
            case 'partner-inquiry': 
                $(".section_all").hide();              
                $("#section_3").show();
                break;
            case 'job-seeker':
                $(".section_all").hide();          
                $("#section_4").show();
                skipElements = '.field1,.field2,.field5';
                break;  
            default:
                $(".section_all").hide();
        }   
    });
    
    // Form validation setup
    $("#contactForm").validate({
        // How do I use the skipElements variable here?
        // ignore: skipElements
    });
});

Also, the validation only triggers when users interact with the dropdown. If someone fills out their details and submits without touching the dropdown, no validation happens at all. How can I fix both of these problems?

[elizabeths]

The issue arises from the timing of when the ignore parameter is assigned to the validator. The validate method captures the ignore value during its initialization, but it doesn’t update when you change the skipElements variable later. A practical solution is to reinitialize the validator whenever the dropdown changes. You can clear the existing validator using $("#contactForm").removeData('validator') and then call the validate method again. To ensure validation runs even if the dropdown is untouched, invoke $("#contactForm").valid() on form submission or set up a submit handler to trigger validation regardless of user interaction.

[wanderingWeasel]

You’re making this way harder than it needs to be by doing everything manually. I’ve been through this exact scenario with dynamic forms - trust me, managing all these validation rules and edge cases manually gets ugly real quick.

Ditch the jQuery validation timing headaches and automate it. Set up a workflow that watches your dropdown changes, updates validation rules automatically, and triggers validation properly no matter how users interact with the form.

Best part? You don’t have to babysit validator lifecycles or remember when to call validation methods. The automation handles state transitions and rule updates without you lifting a finger.

I built something like this for a client onboarding form with way more complex conditional validation. Going automated killed all the timing bugs and made everything rock solid.

Latenode can handle this kind of smart form automation. It’ll watch your form interactions, manage validation states, and deal with edge cases so you don’t have to fight jQuery validation quirks.

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[scarlettturner]

The Problem:

You’re using the jQuery validation plugin and encountering two issues: Your skipElements variable, containing CSS selectors for elements to ignore during validation, isn’t correctly applied, and validation only triggers after interacting with a dropdown. This means the form might submit without validation if the user doesn’t interact with the dropdown.

Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):

The jQuery validate method’s ignore option is set once during initialization. Subsequent changes to the skipElements variable don’t automatically update the validator. To fix this, instead of re-initializing the entire validator, you need to dynamically update the ignore setting using the validator’s settings object. The second issue arises because the validation is only triggered by changes to the dropdown element, which initializes the skipElements variable. You need to ensure validation is triggered on form submission regardless of dropdown interaction.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Update the ignore setting dynamically. Instead of trying to pass skipElements directly to the validate method, you’ll access the validator’s settings object and update the ignore property.

$(document).ready(function(){
    var skipElements = "";
    var validator = $("#contactForm").validate({
        ignore: ".default-ignore" //Set a default ignore value
    });

    $("#userType").change(function() {
        switch ($(this).val()){
            case 'new-client':
                $(".section_all").hide();
                $("#section_1").show();
                skipElements = '.field2,.field4,.field5';
                break;
            case 'existing-client':
                $(".section_all").hide();
                $("#section_2").show();
                skipElements = '.field1,.field4,.field5';
                break;
            case 'partner-inquiry': 
                $(".section_all").hide();              
                $("#section_3").show();
                skipElements = ''; //No elements to skip
                break;
            case 'job-seeker':
                $(".section_all").hide();          
                $("#section_4").show();
                skipElements = '.field1,.field2,.field5';
                break;  
            default:
                $(".section_all").hide();
                skipElements = ''; //No elements to skip
        }   
        validator.settings.ignore = skipElements;
    });

    // Ensure validation on form submission
    $("#contactForm").on('submit', function() {
        return $(this).valid();
    });
});

Step 2: Verify your selectors. Double-check that the CSS selectors in skipElements accurately target the elements you intend to ignore. Incorrect selectors will render this change ineffective.

Step 3: Test thoroughly. Test all scenarios: submitting the form after selecting each dropdown option and submitting without interacting with the dropdown.

Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:

• Selector Conflicts: Ensure your selectors in skipElements are specific enough and don’t unintentionally target other elements.
• jQuery Version: Verify that you’re using a compatible version of jQuery and the validation plugin. Incompatibilities can lead to unexpected behavior.
• Plugin Configuration: Review the full documentation for the jQuery validation plugin to ensure you understand all configuration options and potential conflicts.

Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) config files, the exact command you ran, and any other relevant details. The community is here to help!

[Mia92]

try destroying and recreating the validator in your change handler each time instead of just once. something like $("#contactForm").rules('remove'); $("#contactForm").validate({ignore: skipElements}); should do it. also throw in a default validation call on document ready so it’ll validate even if nobody touches the dropdown.

[JackHero77]

Had this exact problem last year. Don’t destroy the validator - just modify the ignore property directly. Way cleaner approach. Here’s what works: var validator = $("#contactForm").validate({ignore: ".default-ignore"}); $("#userType").change(function() { /* your switch logic */ validator.settings.ignore = skipElements; }); This keeps your validator instance alive while updating ignore rules on the fly. For your second issue where validation won’t run without dropdown interaction - set a default ignore value when you initialize, then add $("#contactForm").on('submit', function() { return $(this).valid(); }); to force validation on submit no matter what the user does.

[Sophia63]

just make ignore a function instead of a static value: ignore: function() { return skipElements || '.default'; }. way easier than tweaking validator settings or destroying instances. the function runs every validation cycle, so it automatically picks up the current skipElements value.