Newbie Questions

Re: Linked Cascading lists

Greg Collins — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 23:23:29 GMT

If your drop-down is manually populated (i.e. in the control itself), then you just set the field default value to the first drop-down value. Then you have to manually edit your XSL to get rid of the blank option.

If your drop-down is populated from another data source, then you can probably write an open rule to populate the bound field with the first drop-down value. Again, you will need to manually edit your XSL to eliminate the blank option.

Re: Linked Cascading lists

hugs4thetrees — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 21:08:34 GMT

I have a similar problem that would utilize whatever the solution to this is! The reason I need the drop down box to autopopulate with the first selection in the list (rather than the blank) is that the user will not always have to select something from this drop down box (because there's only one option based on other selections in other drop downs) but another field is dep on that one selection. I don't want the user to have to pull down the drop down box for a single selection but rather if the drop down would just autopopulate with the first option I'd be all set. Is there a way to do this?

My drop down boxes are called Item and Type. I want "Item" to autopopulate with the first selection in it's drop down based on what is selected from the Type drop down so if there is only one option it is already selected. If there is more than one option, the user will know to select the right one...

Re: Linked Cascading lists

Greg Collins — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 20:58:24 GMT

I don't understand.

What kind of data are you trying to populate into what kind of controls? So far as I've been able to tell it sounds like it is just simple text that should go into text fields. If that is the case then you should be able to use rules.

Once the user selects their name, you have an index value into your database. Use that to filter the data source for the correct row (i.e. the row where user name = selected name) and then get the value of the other associated field you want to populate into the form. Do the same thing for each of the 5 values.

Re: Linked Cascading lists

robbieswife2b — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:21:52 GMT

Hi Greg

Moved on to Plan B and the information on the form grew!

Basically I have approx 75 users and I'd like them to select themselves from a drop down list. Tjis will then populate another 5 fields of information which will be unique to each user so may be very confusing doing this through rules. I have all of this info on Access and the form designed - now I'm stuck. I have managed to get the first field poulated using a list box but it deualts to blank then you scroll and get the info which isn't ideal. Can you help?

Re: Linked Cascading lists

Greg Collins — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:29:54 GMT

It sounds like you don't even need cascading lists. If what I understand so far is correct, the user selects the person from the list, and then all you want to do is populate a few fields with values associated with that person--that there will never be more than one value per field associated with that person.

If this is the case then cascading lists is not the right choice... just populate a single list with user names, and then use rules or code to populate the associated fields with the respective data related to that user.

Each drop-down can have its own set of rules or code. So if you need to select multiple different people in multiple different places, they can each do their own thing. Or if you are in a repeating list, then the same rules/code is used to just populate the respective fields on that same row.

Re: Linked Cascading lists

robbieswife2b — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 08:10:17 GMT

Hi Greg

I have the info in an xml file (following your blog on cascading lists) but when I select a person I get their PC Name and a blank on the drop down list (defaults to the blank space). I would like the form to automatically populate the field with the PC name if poss (guess that stops it from being a drown menu). Is there an easy way to do this as I could use it several times in the form?

Thanks again

Re: Linked Cascading lists

Greg Collins — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 20:04:57 GMT

Autopopulation is somewhat trivial supposing that you have the correct data and information available to make it happen. It's just a matter of the correct rules or code.

Having said that, there are plenty of situations where you cannot autopopulate. For example, if I fill out my name as "Greg"... your form cannot autopopulate what type of computer I have unless that has already been entered somewhere before. In this case, I'd have to enter that myself. However, it could populate my phone and office if I'm in the company directory because that data is already present. It might have to know which Greg I am first... but it is possible.

Re: Linked Cascading lists

robbieswife2b — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 08:50:17 GMT

I will give this a go - is there a way to autopopulate the asset field rather than have a drop down menu with the information and a blank to choose from?

Thanks

Re: Linked Cascading lists

Greg Collins — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 16:46:18 GMT

Only show the name drop-down in the first section... Add a rule to that drop-down so that once a user selects their name in that first drop-down (first section) it populates the second name drop-down (second section) with the same value.

Since the second name drop-down is not showing, and is autopopulated from the first, they don't need to select their name twice.

Linked Cascading lists

robbieswife2b — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 13:52:39 GMT

I apologise now for confusing you!

I have created a form with a cascading list - Name, Job Title

In another section I would like to have Name, PC Name, PC Comments

Can I link them in some way or do I need to create another cascading list? All people will have only 1 PC and asscoaited comments so eally I want the form auto-populated. I'm thinking that if I did another list in the section that I would geth their name on the form twice - and they will ask why they have had to select their name twice. Mmmmmm hope everyone is now as confused as I am!

Any help, as always, much appreciated.