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Question

Force User to Choose from List

Forms Version 9
Updated December 15, 2016
asked on December 15, 2016 • Show version history

I have a multi-line field that uses a lookup rule to present a drop-down list to the user. Here's the issue, even though there is a drop-down list to choose from, users are still keying in whatever they want. This is not a required field, however, I would like it to be required that they choose from the drop-down list and not key in random text. Is there a way to validate the data in the field is actually an item on the list. If it is not, it throws an error!

I know I can put text before or after to tell them this, but forcing would be so much better.

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SELECTED ANSWER
replied on December 15, 2016 • Show version history

The field in the Laserfiche template is a multivalue field.  I had trouble getting the BP workflow to pick up the input from the form field and get it into the LF template field as a multivalue, but it did work in the end.  I had a LF Answers post going for awhile until I got it to work.

Here is a link to the post.  The last comment in the post talks about how I got it working in the end.  https://answers.laserfiche.com/questions/111660/Retrieve-business-process-variables-collection-to-multivalue#111703

Ends up like this in the LF template:

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Replies

replied on December 15, 2016

Hi Gloria

You say you are using a Lookup to Populate a Multi-Line field, If instead the Lookup Populated a Drop Down Field then they can only chose from the list presented in the Drop down list, no text entry is allowed.

To do this, create a Drop Down Field and clear the Default choices that are there (ie: Choice 1, Choice 2, Choice 3), then setup the lookup to Fill this field with your Choices, and you should be good to go.

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View 6 previous replies
replied on December 15, 2016

Thanks, but the list comes from our data source which is an external table used by Forms, Workflow, and Laserfiche. We do not want to manage our lists in several places. Is there an option without hard coding the list into Forms?

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replied on December 15, 2016

Yes, Forms can Fill the Drop Field from a External Table, you just need to add that source in the Form Administration Section and add your Process to it.

I typically do this as it makes the field Dynamic as it will reflect if any new Projects are added into the table.

In the lookup, you don't need to have a match condition, just a Fill condition to have the Drop Down populated by the lookup to the Table.

Example below

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replied on December 15, 2016

We have already done that. That is not the issue. Even though the user is presented with a list, they are still free typing and the field accepts it. How can I restrict free typing?

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replied on December 15, 2016

Hmm, the behavior must have changed between Forms 9 and 10, as version 10 does not allow the free keying.

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replied on December 15, 2016 • Show version history

Are you using a dropdown or a multi-line field?  Because a dropdown should restrict the user to the options in the dropdown, without free entry.

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replied on December 15, 2016 • Show version history

I have a multi-line field that uses a lookup rule to present a drop-down list to the user. Therefore, I'm actually using both.

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replied on December 15, 2016

You need to change the multi-line field to a drop-down field and configure the lookup rule to populate the drop-down field instead. That will restrict them from being able to type in whatever they want.

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replied on December 15, 2016 • Show version history

I need that field to be multi-value AND drop-down. The solution works great when I just need one value.

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replied on December 15, 2016

What kind of data is going into the field?

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replied on December 15, 2016

In reading the issue, Gloria has a multi-line project# field.  I assume this means that the users can choose multiple project# values for a single document.  This is the purpose of a multi-value field.  A dropdown allows for only one value to be chosen.  Therefore, a dropdown will not work for her solution.

replied on December 15, 2016

Gloria has a projectCharge# multi-value metadata field, which is why she is using the multi-line component.  Users can choose up to 10 values and dropdown cannot allow for multiple value selection.  Therefore, a dropdown is not a viable option for the multi-value metadata projectCharge#.  The issue is, can the multi-line be limited to force the user to chose only from the list of values provided by the lookup and not allow free typing.

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replied on December 15, 2016

It cannot. The only way to restrict the options is to use the drop-down field. It sounds like a good request for a multi-select field though. 

http://www.w3schools.com/tags/att_select_multiple.asp

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replied on December 15, 2016

I would like that option too.

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replied on December 15, 2016

Thank you all for your input and time for this request.

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replied on December 15, 2016 • Show version history

One option might be to use a table that has a range of rows from one to ten. Then configure one of the columns to be a drop down field where the values are from the lookup.

If you want to make it so that each row has to be a unique value, then you can also implement the steps from this other thread.

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replied on December 15, 2016

I like that option. May try it. Thank you!

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replied on December 15, 2016 • Show version history

What about the Collection field?  I recently used it for the first time and was impressed.  It allows input in a controlled manner and, when finished, offers another entry for that field.

In my case, it was a collection of Locations, and notice the blue words at the bottom ("Add an Additional Location").  In your case, you could build it with the drop-down field with your controlled choices, and then they would just press the Add button for the next one, etc:

Mine is working beautifully for me as a multi-value collection field.

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replied on December 15, 2016

@████████, in your example, do you store that data in one field within Laserfiche? Wondering if it behaves like a multi-value field when the data is transferred to Laserfiche.

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SELECTED ANSWER
replied on December 15, 2016 • Show version history

The field in the Laserfiche template is a multivalue field.  I had trouble getting the BP workflow to pick up the input from the form field and get it into the LF template field as a multivalue, but it did work in the end.  I had a LF Answers post going for awhile until I got it to work.

Here is a link to the post.  The last comment in the post talks about how I got it working in the end.  https://answers.laserfiche.com/questions/111660/Retrieve-business-process-variables-collection-to-multivalue#111703

Ends up like this in the LF template:

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replied on December 15, 2016

Thanks for that! I'll review.

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