Pre-fill matrix field when creating new entry?

Question

How can I pre-fill a matrix field when creating a new channel entry.

The reason to do this (and why a matrix field is needed) is:

• Data is best entered and represented using a table.
• Unwanted rows can be removed.
• Additional rows can be added.
• To avoid having to re-enter row descriptions that are frequently used.

Answer 1

Adding the following script to the control panel allows one to define a custom state for one or more matrix fields.

The following script can be modified as needed and then copy and paste into your custom field's "Field Instructions" box beneath your custom user instructions!

Many thanks to @MediaGirl for that trick! Ref: How to add a custom JavaScript to the "New Entry" control panel?

<script>
$(function() {

// Make sure that this is the publish form
if (!EE.publish)
    return;

// Only proceed when creating a new entry
var entryId = $('#publishForm').find('input[name="entry_id"]').val();
if (entryId != 0)
    return;

function initLabels(id, labels) {
    var addEntryButton = $('#sub_hold_field_' + id + ' .matrix-btn.matrix-add');
    if (!addEntryButton.length)
        return;

    // Need to wait after `document.ready` has finished executing!
    setTimeout(function() {
        var field = $('#sub_hold_field_' + id);

        // Only proceed if matrix is empty
        // Note: This is not the case if a validation error occurs!
        if (!field.find('.matrix-norows').is(':visible'))
            return;

        // Create one row for each label
        for (var i = 0; i < labels.length; ++i)
            addEntryButton.click();

        // Skip the placeholder row for "No rows have been added yet..."
        field.find('tbody tr:not(.matrix-norows)').each(function(i) {
            $(this).find('.matrix-firstcell textarea').val(labels[i]);
        });
    }, 0);
}

// Check that this is an entry of the expected channel field group
if (EE.publish.field_group == 2) {
    // "Custom Parameters"
    initLabels('23', [
        'Lens Type',
        'Focal Length',
        'Manufacturer',
        'Model',
        'Serial Number'
    ]);

    // "Track Information"
    initLabels('17', [
        'Artist',
        'Title',
        'Label',
        'Artwork'
    ]);
}

})
</script>

Answer 2

Though slightly different, I was inspired by this to create Matrix Presets which adds the ability to load and save values to P&T Matrix cells. You would be able to load rather than prefill values into the Matrix Cells.

It could be cleaned up but it works on EE 2.7.3 with Matrix 2.5.10, and so far works with basic fields and within Zenbu+Henshu.

https://github.com/ignetic/ee-matrix-presets

Perhaps in a future update, I may add an options replace all fields or add to them.

Give it a try if it suits your needs, but it may prove useful to others.

Cheers

Answer 3

It's not pre filling, but have you thought about using CKEditor templates ? You would create as many code blocks as you would need and all the client would need to do is click the template button and choose the content chunk they want to create.