How to Create Custom Multiselect Customer Attributes in Magento 2 and Store Options in the Database

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What are Custom Multiselect Attributes?
  3. Steps to Create Custom Multiselect Customer Attributes
  4. Managing the Custom Multiselect Attribute
  5. Conclusion
  6. FAQ

Introduction

Creating custom attributes for customers in Magento 2 can greatly enhance both the flexibility and functionality of your eCommerce platform. While there are various types of custom attributes one can create, the multiselect attribute is particularly beneficial for capturing multiple values for a single attribute. However, tutorials and guides often overlook the necessary steps to store these options in the database. In this post, we'll explore in-depth how to create a custom multiselect customer attribute in Magento 2 and ensure that its options are stored efficiently within the database.

What are Custom Multiselect Attributes?

In Magento 2, customer attributes extend the core function of the platform by allowing additional information about customers to be captured and utilized. A multiselect attribute enables customers to choose multiple options for a single field, making it ideal for scenarios such as selecting interests, preferred communication channels, or product preferences.

Storing the multiselect attribute options directly in the database rather than in files offers several benefits, such as easier data management, improved scalability, and better performance.

Steps to Create Custom Multiselect Customer Attributes

Step 1: Setting Up the Module

First, you need to set up a new module. This involves creating the necessary directories and configuration files:

  1. Directory Structure
    • app/code/Vendor/CustomMultiselect
    • app/code/Vendor/CustomMultiselect/registration.php
    • app/code/Vendor/CustomMultiselect/etc/module.xml
    • app/code/Vendor/CustomMultiselect/Setup/InstallData.php
    • app/code/Vendor/CustomMultiselect/Model/Attribute/Source/Options.php

registration.php

<?php
use Magento\Framework\Component\ComponentRegistrar;

ComponentRegistrar::register(
    ComponentRegistrar::MODULE,
    'Vendor_CustomMultiselect',
    __DIR__
);

module.xml

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<config xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="urn:magento:framework:Module/etc/module.xsd">
    <module name="Vendor_CustomMultiselect" setup_version="1.0.0"/>
</config>

Step 2: Creating the InstallData Script

The InstallData.php script will handle the creation of the custom attribute during the module's installation process. Use the Magento 2 InstallData interface for this purpose.

InstallData.php

<?php
namespace Vendor\CustomMultiselect\Setup;

use Magento\Eav\Setup\EavSetup;
use Magento\Eav\Setup\EavSetupFactory;
use Magento\Framework\Setup\InstallDataInterface;
use Magento\Framework\Setup\ModuleContextInterface;
use Magento\Framework\Setup\ModuleDataSetupInterface;
use Magento\Customer\Model\Customer;

class InstallData implements InstallDataInterface
{
    private $eavSetupFactory;

    public function __construct(EavSetupFactory $eavSetupFactory)
    {
        $this->eavSetupFactory = $eavSetupFactory;
    }

    public function install(ModuleDataSetupInterface $setup, ModuleContextInterface $context)
    {
        $eavSetup = $this->eavSetupFactory->create(['setup' => $setup]);

        $eavSetup->addAttribute(
            Customer::ENTITY,
            'custom_multiselect',
            [
                'type' => 'varchar',
                'label' => 'Custom Multiselect Attribute',
                'input' => 'multiselect',
                'source' => 'Vendor\CustomMultiselect\Model\Attribute\Source\Options',
                'required' => false,
                'visible' => true,
                'user_defined' => true,
                'sort_order' => 1000,
                'position' => 1000,
                'system' => 0,
                'backend' => 'Magento\Eav\Model\Entity\Attribute\Backend\ArrayBackend',
            ]
        );

        $attribute = $eavSetup->getEavConfig()->getAttribute(Customer::ENTITY, 'custom_multiselect')
            ->addData(['used_in_forms' => [
                'adminhtml_customer',
                'customer_account_create',
                'customer_account_edit',
            ]]);

        $attribute->save();
    }
}

Step 3: Adding Custom Options

In this step, we will create a source model for the custom attribute options, ensuring they are stored in the database as needed.

Options.php

<?php
namespace Vendor\CustomMultiselect\Model\Attribute\Source;

use Magento\Eav\Model\Entity\Attribute\Source\AbstractSource;

class Options extends AbstractSource
{
    public function getAllOptions()
    {
        if (!$this->_options) {
            $this->_options = [
                ['label' => __('Default'), 'value' => 'default'],
                ['label' => __('Test'), 'value' => 'test'],
                ['label' => __('Test2'), 'value' => 'test2'],
            ];
        }
        return $this->_options;
    }
}

Step 4: Verifying Database Storage

To ensure the options are stored in the database, verify the new attribute in the eav_attribute and eav_attribute_option tables. The Magento 2 installation script should have created entries for your new multiselect attribute, and its options should be delineated in the appropriate tables.

Managing the Custom Multiselect Attribute

Here’s how you can manage the custom multiselect attribute from the Magento 2 admin panel:

  • Admin Panel Management:

    • Navigate to Customers > All Customers.
    • Edit an existing customer or create a new one.
    • Scroll down to the custom attributes section and check if the multiselect attribute is available.
    • Verify that the selections save and are retrieved correctly from the database.

  • Frontend Management:

    • The attribute can be displayed and managed on the customer account creation and edit forms, ensuring customer input is correctly processed and stored.

Conclusion

Creating a custom multiselect attribute in Magento 2 and ensuring its options are stored in the database can significantly enhance your ability to capture complex customer information. Following the steps outlined here will not only simplify the process but also ensure robust and scalable data management. By leveraging these capabilities, your Magento 2 store can become more interactive, efficient, and user-friendly.

FAQ

What are custom customer attributes in Magento 2?

Custom customer attributes allow you to add additional fields to the customer's information, capturing more data that can be used for personalized experiences and targeted marketing.

Why store multiselect options in the database?

Storing multiselect options in the database facilitates easier management, better performance, and enhanced scalability, compared to storing them in file systems.

Can I add more options to the multiselect attribute after its creation?

Yes, additional options can be added by updating the source model and running the setup script again to reflect changes in the database.