W3Schools.com

PHP htmlspecialchars_decode() Function

PHP String Reference Complete PHP String Reference

Definition and Usage

The htmlspecialchars_decode() function converts some predefined HTML entities to characters.

HTML entities that will be decoded are:

  • & becomes & (ampersand)
  • " becomes " (double quote)
  • ' becomes ' (single quote)
  • &lt; becomes < (less than)
  • &gt; becomes > (greater than)

The htmlspecialchars_decode() function is the opposite of htmlspecialchars().

Syntax

htmlspecialchars_decode(string,quotestyle)

Parameter Description
string Required. Specifies the string to decode
quotestyle Optional. Specifies how to decode single and double quotes.

The available quote styles are:

  • ENT_COMPAT - Default. Decodes only double quotes
  • ENT_QUOTES - Decodes double and single quotes
  • ENT_NOQUOTES - Does not decode any quotes

Example 1

<?php
$str = "Jane &amp; &#039;Tarzan&#039;";
echo htmlspecialchars_decode($str);
echo "<br />";
echo htmlspecialchars_decode($str, ENT_QUOTES);
echo "<br />";
echo htmlspecialchars_decode($str, ENT_NOQUOTES);
?>

The browser output of the code above will be:

Jane & 'Tarzan'
Jane & 'Tarzan'
Jane & 'Tarzan'

If you select "View source" in the browser window, you will see the following HTML:

<html>
<body>
Jane & &#039;Tarzan&#039;<br />
Jane & 'Tarzan'<br />
Jane & &#039;Tarzan&#039;
</body>
</html>

Example 2

<html>
<body>
<?php
$str = "My name is &Oslash;yvind &Aring;sane. I&#039;m Norwegian";
echo htmlspecialchars_decode($str, ENT_QUOTES);
?>
</body>
</html>

The browser output of the code above will be:

My name is Øyvind Åsane. I'm Norwegian

If you select "View source" in the browser window, you will see the following HTML:

<html>
<body>
My name is &Oslash;yvind &Aring;sane. I'm Norwegian
</body>
</html>

PHP String Reference Complete PHP String Reference
WEB HOSTING
Best Web Hosting
PHP MySQL Hosting
Best Hosting Coupons
UK Reseller Hosting
Cloud Hosting
Top Web Hosting
$3.98 Unlimited Hosting
Premium Website Design
WEB BUILDING
XML Editor - Free Trial!
FREE Website BUILDER
Best Website Templates Top CSS Templates
CREATE HTML Websites
EASY WEBSITE BUILDER
W3SCHOOLS EXAMS
Get Certified in:
HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML, PHP, and ASP
W3SCHOOLS BOOKS
New Books:
HTML, CSS
JavaScript, and Ajax
STATISTICS
Browser Statistics
Browser OS
Browser Display
SHARE THIS PAGE