How to add fields and change required fields in moodle signup fo

How to add fields and change required fields in moodle signup form?

I have a moodle project as a developer and i want to change the sign up form to make it simpler.Bascially, i want to remove the username field and replace it with a full name field and add a phone number field that is not mandatory (required) and remove all the other unnecessary fields or at least set them as not required

I have hid some of the unnecessary features using CSS but i want something more functional, and want to know what files i need to change to make the changes in the backend so that it works as expected when a user signs up. Any help/advice with this would be greatly appreciated!

Answers

To customize the sign-up form in Moodle and make the changes you mentioned, you'll need to modify some PHP files and potentially some database schema. Here's a general guide on how to achieve this:

1. Identify the Files: The primary files you'll need to modify are likely located in the moodle/user directory. Look for files related to user registration, such as signup_form.php, edit_form.php, and signup.php.

2. Modify the Form: Open the signup_form.php file and locate the form definition. You'll need to remove the username field and add fields for full name and phone number. Modify the form validation rules to reflect these changes.

3. Modify the Processing Script: Open the signup.php file (or equivalent) that handles form submission and user creation. Update the script to handle the new form fields. You'll need to insert the user's full name into the database and handle the phone number field appropriately.

4. Database Changes: If you're adding a new field for phone number, you may need to modify the database schema to include this field in the mdl_user table. You can use a tool like phpMyAdmin or run SQL queries directly to make these changes.

5. Testing: After making these changes, thoroughly test the sign-up process to ensure that everything works as expected. Make sure users can successfully register with their full name and optional phone number.

6. Consider Compatibility: Keep in mind that future updates to Moodle may affect your customizations. Whenever you update Moodle, be sure to check your modifications against the new version to ensure compatibility. It's a good idea to keep documentation of your changes for reference.

7. Backup: Before making any changes, it's always a good idea to create backups of your Moodle installation, including the files and database. This will allow you to revert to a previous state if anything goes wrong during the customization process.

Remember to follow best practices when modifying core files, and consider using Moodle's plugin system or overrides where possible to minimize the impact of your changes on future updates. Additionally, you may find helpful resources and documentation in the Moodle developer documentation and community forums.