How to use database email field as recipient in PHP mail function

[Laura219]

I’m having trouble with my PHP code when trying to send emails to addresses stored in my database. The script connects to MySQL and fetches data but I can’t get the email field to work as the recipient.

<?php
$connection = mysql_connect('localhost', 'user', 'password');
$query = "SELECT Name, Email FROM users";
$result = mysql_query($query);
$messageContent = "";
$mailSubject = "notification";
$recipient = "placeholder";

while($data = mysql_fetch_assoc($result))
{
  $messageContent .= "Name: ".$data['Name']."\n";
}

$recipient = str_replace('placeholder', $data['Email'], $recipient);
mail($recipient, $mailSubject, $messageContent);
?>

I’ve tried different approaches like using the field directly or doing string replacement but nothing seems to work. The only way it sends mail is when I hardcode the email address like “[email protected]”. Any ideas what I’m doing wrong here?

[mikechen]

Your logic’s backwards. You’re building the message in the loop but only sending one email after it finishes. At that point, $data['Email'] just has the last record from your query. Want to send individual emails? Put the mail() function inside the while loop. Want one email with all names to a single person? Hardcode that email address outside the loop. Also, heads up - the mysql extension got axed in PHP 7. You should switch to mysqli or PDO for better security.

[Alex_Thunder]

That’s a classic mistake - you’re setting $recipient outside the loop then trying to string replace, but it won’t work like that. Just do $recipient = $data['Email']; directly inside the while loop before calling mail(). Also don’t forget error checking with if(mail($recipient, $mailSubject, $messageContent)) to see if it actually sent.

[neonNautilus]

The Problem:

You’re experiencing issues sending emails from your PHP script to recipients stored in a MySQL database. Your current code fetches user data, but emails are only sent to the last user in the database. The mail() function is called after the loop processing all users, making only the last user’s email address accessible.

Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause):

The core issue lies in the placement of the mail() function. Currently, your code processes all users in the database, storing their names in $messageContent. However, the line $recipient = str_replace('placeholder', $data['Email'], $recipient); only updates $recipient with the email of the last user processed in the loop. The email is sent only after the loop completes. Therefore, only one email is sent, containing all the names collected but always addressed to the last user in the database. str_replace() is not the correct approach for sending multiple emails; it’s only intended for simple text manipulation.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Relocate the mail() function: Move the mail() function inside the while loop to send an individual email for each user. This ensures each $data['Email'] is used immediately after fetching it. This is the fundamental fix.

2. Directly Assign Email: Eliminate the unnecessary str_replace() function. Assign the email address directly within the loop using $recipient = $data['Email'];.

3. Improve Error Handling: Check the return value of the mail() function to verify successful delivery. A successful send returns true; otherwise, it returns false. Handle failures gracefully (log the error, send a notification, etc.).

4. Update Database Connection: The mysql_* functions are deprecated and insecure. Migrate to mysqli or PDO for improved security and compatibility.

Here’s the corrected code:

<?php
$connection = new mysqli('localhost', 'user', 'password', 'database_name'); // Update with your database name
if ($connection->connect_error) {
    die("Connection failed: " . $connection->connect_error);
}

$query = "SELECT Name, Email FROM users";
$result = $connection->query($query);

if ($result) {
    while($data = $result->fetch_assoc()) {
        $messageContent = "Name: " . $data['Name'] . "\n";
        $recipient = $data['Email'];
        $mailSubject = "notification";

        if (mail($recipient, $mailSubject, $messageContent)) {
            echo "Email sent to " . $recipient . "\n";
        } else {
            echo "Email sending failed to " . $recipient . "\n";
        }
    }
    $result->free_result();
} else {
    die("Query failed: " . $connection->error);
}
$connection->close();
?>

Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:

• Email Server Configuration: Ensure your PHP environment is correctly configured to send emails. You might need to adjust your php.ini file or use a dedicated email sending library for better reliability.
• Email Address Validation: Add client-side and/or server-side validation to ensure only valid email addresses are stored in your database.
• Email Deliverability: Check your email server’s logs for any bounce messages or delivery failures. Bulk email sending often requires different strategies to manage deliverability.
• Database Connection: Verify the database connection credentials (localhost, user, password, database_name) are correct and that the database server is running.

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!

[ameliat]

Your string replacement isn’t working right. You’re replacing ‘placeholder’ with an email, but $recipient still has the placeholder text afterward. Just skip the str_replace() and assign the email directly: $recipient = $data['Email'];. But here’s the real problem - you’re only getting the last email from your results because the variable gets overwritten each time through the loop. Want to email each user? Put the mail() call inside your while loop. I’ve hit this same issue before - it’s usually a loop structure problem. Also, check mail()'s return value so you can catch failed deliveries.

[Mia92]

yeah, you’ve got it! move the mail() function inside the while loop so it sends an email for each user. right now, it only gets the last email from the loop. and yeah, switching to mysqli or PDO is a smart move too, mysql_* is old news.