InfoPath Dev

Hi all -- i am new to InfoPath & working on a content request form for a SharePoint Intranet. i need to build 2 cascading dropdowns. based on a Category [web, crystal, etc.], the 2nd dropdown will populate Tasks [add link, delete link, add report, create report, etc.]. the data structure is basically like so:

web | add link
web | delete link
crystal | add report
crystal | create report
etc | task 1
etc | task 2
etc | task 3

i have built the data as a Custom List in SharePoint (not a flat or hierarchical XML file) & can pull in data fine. when i follow the flat file XML example "Create a Repeating Cascading List from a Flat Data Source", i am able to get the uniqueness filter working fine.

however, i absolutely cannot get the uniqueness filter working at all with this group / field structure:


after about reading 5-6 how to's & 50 combos, i figure this code should be correct: "not(. = ../preceding-sibling::Form_Data/Category)". has ANYONE gotten a cascading drop down to work with a SharePoint List as data ?

Thanks.

Two things: 1) namespace prefixes, 2) attribute vs node

You left off the necessary namespace prefix and did not account for an attribute in your xpath... I'm not positive what your prefix will be, but likely it's "dfs:". Try this:

not(. = ../preceding-sibling::dfs:Form_Data/@Category)

Greg -- you're brilliant, works perfectly!! thanks for the quick reply.

the prefix now makes sense as my full Entries field (now) reads "/dfs:myFields/dfs:dataFields/dfs:Form_Data/@Category[not(. = ../preceding-sibling::dfs:Form_Data/@Category)]". i am still a bit lost on "my:" vs. "dfs:", but that is another conversation. can you recommend a book on InfoPath (specifically with good filter info)?

last, i added a filter the Task drop-down list based on the selected Category in the current row. current()/my:Category (IP translates to "current()/Category") worked. with the whole filter being "Category is equal to current()/Category". i got this per your "Make" field example in "Create a Repeating Cascading List from a Flat Data Source".

have a good weekend.