Display non-Latin character set in variable labels
Hi Low,
[EE.2.5.5 and LV 2.3.4]
We've got a Variable group for language types. The input field displays non -Latin character sets without issue. If we try to input the same (russian and chinese) characters in the variable label we get a series of question marks.
See pic: 
Our db settings are the default:
$db['expressionengine']['char_set'] = "utf8";
$db['expressionengine']['dbcollat'] = "utf8_general_ci";
Is there any way round this?
Ta.
Replies
Low 24 Apr 2013 11:52
The charset/collation of the DB field is probably latin1. Can you try and confirm that?
So, that's the table exp_low_variables, column variable_label.
seb 24 Apr 2013 12:31
Correct:
variable_label = latin1_swedish_ci
Can I / should I manually change this? What repercussions can I expect?
Thanks.
Low 24 Apr 2013 12:40
That means the default collation of your DB is latin1 as well. The latest version of LV forces utf8 upon installation, but previous versions just inherit the default.
You can try and change it (make a backup first) either by a custom query, or (if you're using something like Sequel Pro) just change it by selecting the utf8_general_ci collation for that column.
seb 24 Apr 2013 12:43
Hmm. I just switched it to utf8_bin. And it seems to be working. It was either that (in my limited knowledge) or utf_unicode_ci.
Low 24 Apr 2013 12:45
utf8_bin is a case sensitive collation. utf8_unicode_ci or utf8_general_ci are not. But in this case, that doesn't make a difference.
seb 24 Apr 2013 12:52
Cool, thanks. I'll stick with that then.
Cheers