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Question

Autofill a metadata field

Laserfiche Version 9
Updated July 31, 2017
asked on July 27, 2017 • Show version history

Hello,

Is it possible to have a user enter a value in a metadata field (e.g., Vendor Number) and then have Laserfiche auto populate a subsequent field (e.g., Vendor Name) while they are still in the document? This would be using the Client, Version 9.1.

I am NOT looking to have the drop downs with the dynamic fields feature. I just want a metadata field populated based on the content of another field (essentially a lookup to confirm that the Vendor Number they enter is valid and the one they intended).

Thanks,

Julie

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Answer

SELECTED ANSWER
replied on July 27, 2017 • Show version history

Hi Julie,

What type of field is [Vendor Number]? In any case, it should still be possible to click into the field and type out the number, which automatically pulls it up from the list as the user types. Unfortunately, there is no way that I know of to set up dynamic fields in templates like input lookup fields on webpages (eg, Forms).

If the [Vendor Number] field is used to populate other fields on the template based off associated values in a DB, what advantage is gained if it's editable--that is, what would prevent a user from entering a missing/wrong [Vendor Number], which would break the autopopulation of the other fields?

~Rob

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Replies

replied on July 27, 2017 • Show version history

Hi Julie,

Yes, this is possible, but would require the use of an external table, the columns of which would link up to the template as a dynamic fields. This is the only way to perform lookups within a template.

You can avoid the dropdowns by setting the [Vendor Number] field as the parent field for all other (relevant) fields on the template, and then setting up security on the remaining fields so that they're read-only. While the [Vendor Number] might function somewhat like a dropdown, users will still be able to type into the field, allowing them to avoid having to select it from a list.

~Rob

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replied on July 27, 2017

 

Thanks Rob. I'm trying to get my Vendor Number field to be editable but it doesn't seem to be working. I just get a regular dropdownlist, yet I set "Restrict List" to False in the template. Am I missing something?

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SELECTED ANSWER
replied on July 27, 2017 • Show version history

Hi Julie,

What type of field is [Vendor Number]? In any case, it should still be possible to click into the field and type out the number, which automatically pulls it up from the list as the user types. Unfortunately, there is no way that I know of to set up dynamic fields in templates like input lookup fields on webpages (eg, Forms).

If the [Vendor Number] field is used to populate other fields on the template based off associated values in a DB, what advantage is gained if it's editable--that is, what would prevent a user from entering a missing/wrong [Vendor Number], which would break the autopopulation of the other fields?

~Rob

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replied on July 27, 2017

Hey Rob,

Ok - so it sounds like it is not possible in the metadata template. Our list of vendors is too long for a usable dropdownlist, so that's why we were looking for more of a way to just type the number into a textbox and then it could automatically pull up the vendor name (or an error message if it was invalid).

Looks like I need to go the Forms route though.

Thanks,

Julie

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replied on July 27, 2017 • Show version history

Hi Julie,

What's the end goal here? I'm happy to give my two cents if you're interested!

Also, I still think the dynamic field route with the [Vendor Number] field might work for your needs--it won't let you type a single number at a time and have it sit there in the field to be added to later, but it will let you type all the numbers in sequence (at a rather slow speed, even) and automatically "land" on that number in the dropdown, thereby populating it. Give it a try!

Good luck!

~Rob

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replied on July 31, 2017

Hey Rob,

The dynamic field route is just to slow to bring up our long list of vendors. I am going to take a different route; but thanks for the info on dynamic fields!

Julie

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replied on July 31, 2017

Ok, good luck! Please share your solution once you've decided on it!

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