Fix: Preserve conditional field values when hidden (issue #7475)

[faisalahammad]

Summary

Fixes #7475 - Adds an option to preserve conditional field values when the field is hidden by conditional logic.

Problem

When a field is hidden by conditional logic, saving the form clears the field's value in the database. This happens because:

1. PodsMeta.php initializes ALL fields with an empty string default
2. Hidden fields aren't submitted via $_POST
3. The empty value overwrites the existing database value

Solution

Added a new field option "Save Value When Hidden" (conditional_logic_save_value) that:

• Appears in the Conditional Logic tab for fields with conditional logic enabled
• When enabled, skips adding the field to the save data if it wasn't submitted (hidden)
• This preserves the existing database value instead of clearing it

Changes

src/Pods/Admin/Config/Field.php

Added new conditional_logic_save_value boolean option to field configuration.

classes/PodsMeta.php

Before:

if ( ! pods_permission( $field ) ) {
    if ( 1 !== (int) pods_v( 'hidden', $field, 0 ) ) {
        continue;
    }
}

$data[ $field['name'] ] = '';

if ( isset( $_POST[ 'pods_meta_' . $field['name'] ] ) ) {
    $data[ $field['name'] ] = $_POST[ 'pods_meta_' . $field['name'] ];
}

After:

if ( ! pods_permission( $field ) ) {
    if ( 1 !== (int) pods_v( 'hidden', $field, 0 ) ) {
        continue;
    }
}

// Check if field wasn't submitted (likely hidden by conditional logic).
if ( ! isset( $_POST[ 'pods_meta_' . $field['name'] ] ) ) {
    // If save_value_when_hidden is enabled, skip this field to preserve existing DB value.
    $conditional_logic_save = (bool) pods_v( 'conditional_logic_save_value', $field, false );

    if ( $conditional_logic_save ) {
        continue;
    }
}

$data[ $field['name'] ] = '';

if ( isset( $_POST[ 'pods_meta_' . $field['name'] ] ) ) {
    $data[ $field['name'] ] = $_POST[ 'pods_meta_' . $field['name'] ];
}

classes/PodsAPI.php

Before:

// Skip if the field is visible and can be saved.
if ( $is_visible ) {
    continue;
}

// Check if the field should save its value even when hidden.
$save_value_when_hidden = (bool) pods_v( 'conditional_logic_save_value', $fields[ $active_field_name ], false );

// Skip clearing the value if save_value_when_hidden is enabled.
if ( $save_value_when_hidden ) {
    continue;
}

// Unset the field value.
$field_values[ $active_field_name ]    = null;
$fields[ $active_field_name ]['value'] = null;

After:

// Skip if the field is visible and can be saved.
if ( $is_visible ) {
    continue;
}

// Unset the field value.
$field_values[ $active_field_name ]    = null;
$fields[ $active_field_name ]['value'] = null;

Testing

1. Create a Pod with conditional logic (e.g., Show Banner = Yes/No)
2. Add a conditional field (e.g., Banner Content) that shows when Show Banner = Yes
3. Edit the field and enable "Preserve field value when conditionally hidden"
4. Enter content in Banner Content and save
5. Set Show Banner = No and save
6. Reload the page and set Show Banner = Yes
7. ✅ Banner Content value is preserved

Checklist

• Code follows WordPress coding standards
• Changes tested manually
• No breaking changes
• Feature is opt-in (requires enabling the option)

---

Screen Recording

Before: https://videos.faisalahammad.com/recordings/hR9KDdIgMfSUNC1nh3hm

After: https://videos.faisalahammad.com/recordings/P91zwf3QD774GdGqLovP

Plugin Zip

pods-issue-7475-save-conditional-value.zip

[what-the-diff]

PR Summary

• Improved Field Validation Mechanism
  This update introduces a refined logic that detects whether a field was omitted because of certain conditions, thus enabling users to avoid the saving process when the field is hidden.

• New Configurable Option for Conditionally Hidden Fields
  We have incorporated a new setting: 'conditional_logic_save_value'. This allows users to save values of fields even in circumstances where these fields are hidden by conditional logic.

[sclark3-godaddy]

@faisalahammad hey, just checking in on this -- did you intend to close the PR?

[faisalahammad]

Sorry, @sclark3-godaddy
I mistakenly pushed the PR without fully working code, so I fixed it and reopened the PR. Could you please check and let me know if it’s working on your end?