PHP Merge inner keys of multidimensional array

Question

I'm trying to merge inner keys of a php array. There may be some instances of the loop that creates this array where the same key is generated in a different iteration of the loop.

I'm using this method to create my big array:

foreach ( $repeater as $file ) : if ($file) :
    loop stuff here;
    $fileArray[$parentCat][$fileCategoryName][] = $theFile;
endif; endforeach;

$postFiles[] = $fileArray; // inside a bigger loop to collect all data

I'm trying to merge the $parentCat of the array building process.

Example of result array:

Array (
    [0] => Array (
        [Category Name] => Array (
            [Sub Category] => Array (
                'fieldvalue' => 'fieldvalue',
            ),
        ),   
    ),
    [1] => Array (
        [Category Name] => Array (
            [Different Sub Category] => Array (
                'differentfieldvalue' => 'differentfieldvalue',
            ),
        ),   
    ),      
),

I want to merge the Category Name so that it looks something like this:

Array (
    [0] => Array (
        [Category Name] => Array (
            [Sub Category] => Array (
                'fieldvalue' => 'fieldvalue',
            ),
            [Different Sub Category] => Array (
                'differentfieldvalue' => 'differentfieldvalue',
            ),
        ),   
    ),     
),

I've tried using array_merge_recursive, array_merge, and a few other ways with no success. I'm thinking it's something simple that I'm over looking.

You should solve it by using foreach loop. Have you already tried it? — mario.van.zadel
– mario.van.zadel, Commented Nov 18, 2015 at 17:19
I had tried to merge them with a foreach loop afterwards without success. I marked Alexandre's answer below correct as it solved the issue - and quite simply thankfully. — GregT
– GregT, Commented Nov 18, 2015 at 17:41

user2815792 · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-18 17:30:39Z

1

array_merge_recursive is the right way to go. But you can't call it with an array of arrays, you need to call it with a list of arrays.

Try the following, that should solve your problem:

$mergedPostFiles = call_user_func_array('array_merge_recursive', $postFiles);

answered Nov 18, 2015 at 17:30

user2815792

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2 Comments

GregT Over a year ago

Awesome that worked! Thank you so much. I had never even seen 'call_user_func_array' function before.

user2815792 Over a year ago

This is a function that calls a callback. There's a whole set of function in PHP that offer you different ways to manipulate existing functions. call_user_func_array is particularly useful when you want to use an array as a list of parameters. Have a look at these: php.net/manual/en/ref.funchand.php

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