Question

I have an array that outputs the following:

Array ( [roi_data] => Array (
    [0] => Array ( [title] => Test ROI )
    [1] => Array ( [title] => Another ROI ) 
))

I’d like to combine all the keys with title into one array and then echo a random value out of it.

I have tried using array_rand() but I just get the word Array to appear.

Answer 1

You have a multidimensional array. When you call array_rand, you’re getting back a random element from the first tier of arrays — this element would be an array itself.

Array (
    [roi_data] => Array (          <-- there is only one element in the top level
        [0] => Array (               <-- there are two elements in this level
            [title] => Test ROI        <-- there is only one element in this level
        ), 
        [1] => Array (
            [title] => Another ROI 
        )
    )
)

So, if you wanted a random element from the roi_data level, you’d have to specify that:

$key = array_rand($myArray['roi_data']);
$item = $myArray['roi_data'][$key];
echo $item['title'];

Documentation

• array_rand – http://php.net/manual/en/function.array-rand.php
• PHP Arrays – http://php.net/manual/en/language.types.array.php
• Understanding multidimensional arrays – http://webcheatsheet.com/php/multidimensional_arrays.php