Modify input before validation on Laravel 5.1

This is a tricky one. I only figured out one way to achieve what you want.

The main point is, that it has no effect for the Validator if you change the Request Values in the rules() function.

You could do a workaround by adding a function to your UserCreateRequest:

protected function getValidatorInstance() {    $this->sanitize();    return parent::getValidatorInstance();}

This overrides the parent's getValidatorInstance();

The parent's getValidatorInstance() method includes

    return $factory->make(        $this->all(), $this->container->call([$this, 'rules']), $this->messages(), $this->attributes());

Which is reached before your code in the rules() function, so the old values (not affected by the changes in rules()) of $this->all() are used.

If you override that function in your own RequestClass you can manipulate the Request values before calling the actual parent's method.

UPDATE (L5.5)

If you are using the Controllers validate function you could do something like that:

    $requestData = $request->all();    // modify somehow    $requestData['firstname'] = trim($requestData['firstname']);    $request->replace($requestData);    $values = $this->validate($request, $rules);

You can do this by modifying the request and setting the input value.

$request->request->set('key', 'value');

Or, if you prefer the request helper method.

request()->request->set('key', 'value');

If you are using a request MyClassRequest for keeping your validation then simply override all() method of Request class

public function all(){    $attributes = parent::all();    //you can modify your inputs here before it is validated    $attribute['firstname'] = trim($attribute['firstname']);    $attribute['lastname'] = trim($attribute['lastname']);    return $attributes;}

Hope this helps.