InfoPath Dev

 I have a drop down list and when the user chooses an item in the dropdown list a text box with message appears and when the user chooses a different item in a list a different message appears on the text box.I have a dropdown list and a text box next to it.
I think I have to add a formula in the textbox default value which will be something like name of the dropdownlist = an item in the list, then the testbox = Text in the text box. But not sure what the syntax will be for this formula in infopath form

You should have one dropdown and two text boxes, plus conditional formatting.

If option 1 is selected in the dropdown, display text box 1 and hide text box 2.

If option 2 is selected in the dropdown, display text box 2 and hide text box 1.

Does that make sense?

 I can select option 1 and on Condition formatting how do I diplay text box1 and hide text box 2. Conditional formating lets us hide or diable control. Can you describe a bit more?

Yes, conditional formatting allows you to hide or disable controls.

• On text box 1, add the condition: if dropdown does not equal option1 , hide this control.
• On text box 2, add the condition: if dropdown does not equal option2 , hide this control.

Make sense?

By the way, since it sounds like you're just getting started with InfoPath, check out the free training on our blog. Here's the link to Lab 1:

http://www.infopathdev.com/blogs/jennifer/archive/2010/07/01/free-training-design-your-infopath-form-template-lab-1.aspx

It's a good place to start, and if like it perhaps you'll want to read about our paid training.

Good luck!

You are very close, just add action on dropdown instead of textbox.

Follow these steps:

1. Add dropdown with two options- Option1 and Option2. Add a textbox.

2. Select the dropdown. Go to Manage Rules and add an action.

3. Set condition - dropdown = Option1

4. Under Run these action, Set a field value - textbox = Message 1.

5. Similarly, add another action for option 2.

Cheers!

Sure, there are various options to accomplish this.

I'm attaching a sample form. Hope it helps.

 Thanks for all the responses, I also tried another solution  using a Calculated Value control for the "This is for sophomores only" and "This is for seniors only" text.  Once those are added to the form, just add formatting rules to them to hide the first one when PrincipalOfficeOption is not equal to VerificationofResidency, and hide the second one when it's not equal to SRDiploma.

hey, that looks simple but can we display the message through placeholder text. when we click on that field the message should disappear, just like place holder text(font color too).