[formsets] Initial Values to an inline_formset() instance

[Nikhil Somaru]

Hi,

PURPOSE: Mimic the admin "inline" functionality (with ForeignKey relationships) in one of my own forms without using Javascript (because I don't know it)

My Solution: Inline Formset via inline_formset()

However,

• inline_formset() does not accept initial as an argument
• This is after the form has been submitted once and I want to create new forms in the formsets while still keeping the data already entered, waiting to be edited

I am using the following workaround in the mean time: (the entire view may be found here: http://dpaste.com/hold/555463/)

        elif 'more_items' in request.POST:
            order = form.save(commit=False) # models.Order
            instances = formset.save(commit=False) # models.OrderItem(s)
            for instance in instances:
                initial_data.append({'item': instance.item,
                                     'quantity_requested': instance.quantity_requested,
                                     }
                )
            formset = OrderFormset() #created via inline_formset()
            for subform, data in zip(formset.forms, initial_data):
                subform.initial = data
            # render_to_response....

The problem is, this limits me to a total number of forms as defined in the extra field passed to inline_formset().

Any improvements or totally new solutions are welcome! My Python/Django knowledge is beginner-intermediate (leaning towards beginner)

--
Yours,

Nikhil Somaru

[Nikhil Somaru]

Hi,

This is the hack-a-round that I figured out:

formset = OrderFormset(request.POST) #created earlier with inline_formset()
# now we recreate it to have the submitted number of forms+3
OrderFormset = inlineformset_factory(Order, OrderItem, extra=len(formset.forms)+3)
            formset = OrderFormset()
            # populate the forms
            # initial_data is a list of dictionaries created from POST data
            # dict keys are field names

            for subform, data in zip(formset.forms, initial_data):
                subform.initial = data

I know this is inelegant and probably uses more memory than it should, but it works. Are there any other, more elegant solutions?

--
Yours,

Nikhil Somaru