Related Options are a drop-down list feature in which the value selected in one field determines the options available in related fields. Related Options fields are available only in a table or block that uses the Dropdown List (Related Options) field type.
Once you've created your field in a table or block with the Dropdown List (Related Options) field type, a Related Options button appears in the Fields section of the table or block overview page.
This article covers the following:
- Managing Related Options
- Using Single-Select and Dynamic-Select in Related Fields
- Invalid Option Combinations
- Importing Related Options
Managing Related Options
Once you've created a field on your table or block with the field type Dropdown list (related options), you can then begin to set up your Related Options fields.
A table can only contain one set of related option fields.
Creating Related Options
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Click Related Options in the Fields section of your overview page.
The Related Options window displays.
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Fill out the information in the window as necessary.
The fields marked with an asterisk* are required.
Field Information Related Fields Shows the names of all fields in the table or block with the related options field type. This is a view-only field. Dropdown List Type* Select either Single-select or Dynamic-Select. Enforce selections by tab order Select this check box to force the user to make Related Options selections in order. Most Related Options are set up this way.
This option is not available if you use Multi-Select Related Options.
Template File Click this link to download a blank template file for your Related Options. Export File Click this link to download an copy of your existing Related Options.
- Import your file.
Using Single-Select and Dynamic-Select in Related Fields
You have two options for Related Fields types available for your Related Options list items.
Single-select
The user can only select one option in each field. You must provide values in every column for every option combination.
If your Related Options are enforced by tab order:
- Selections must be made in order starting with the first field. The selection in the first field determines the options available in the next field and so forth. Subsequent fields are unavailable until the selection is made in the field preceding it. If the selection in the current field is cleared, the options selected in the subsequent fields are cleared.
If your Related Options are not enforced by tab order:
- Selections can be made in any order starting with any field. Selection in the one field determines the options available in the subsequent fields.
Dynamic-select
Dynamic-select allows you to select multiple options (when they are available) only in the lowest-level field for a given option selected at a higher-level field.
For Dynamic-select, the system enforces selection in tab order.
The following rules must be considered while importing list options for Dynamic-select related fields:
- Data must be provided in every column for at least one option combination.
- If multiple options are available for a given option in the field that is two levels down, then the field that is one level down is single-select.
Example:
In this screen shot, the option in the first field (Make) shows more than one option is available in the third field two levels down (Style). Therefore, regardless of any option selected in the first field, the second field one level down (Model) is single-select.
- If no options are available in a field two levels down, then the field that is one level down is multi-select if more than one option is available in that field.
Example:
In this screen shot, when "Civic" is selected in the Model field, no options are available in the Package field two levels down. The Package field is multi-select as more than one option is available in the field one level down.
- If more than one option is available in the lowest-level field for the option selected in the field one level up, the lowest-level field is multi-select.
Example:
In this screen shot, the Style field is one level up from the lowest-level field (Package). When “Hybrid XLE” is selected, more than one option is available in the Package field. Therefore, the Package field is multi-select.
Invalid Option Combinations
In Related Options fields, options in one field are only valid in combination with the options in every other field within the table or block. You may encounter invalid option combinations on the Edit (Location) page if the original options list is replaced by a new one.
There are two scenarios where a selected option is invalid:
- If you edit a record with a selected option combination that is no longer valid
- If the selected option combination is invalid
If you edit a record with a selected option combination that is no longer valid:
- You can only save the record with the invalid option combination that was originally selected, not any other invalid option combination.
- To restore the original option combination, on the Edit (Location) page, click Cancel to exit the page. You can select a new, valid option combination. The original invalid option combination is not available after you select a new option combination.
Example:
In the screen shot, let's say you select the Nissan option in the Make field. If the option list for this field is replaced, and the Nissan option is not included, the selected option Nissan will display with an Edit icon.
To save the invalid option combination Nissan/Altima/Sedan, click the icon on the Edit (Location) page, then click Save.
To change the option Nissan to a valid option:
- Select another option from the Make field. Accordingly, the subsequent fields are available with the option combination.
After you select a valid option, you cannot select the original invalid option combination. In this example, you cannot select Nissan/Altima/Sedan. However, if you want to restore the original invalid option combination Nissan/Altima/Sedan, click Cancel to exit the Edit (Location) page. On clicking Cancel, all the changes made on the Edit (Location) page are lost.
If the selected option combination is invalid:
The first field encountered in the tab order that contains an invalid option selection is displayed with an edit icon.
Example:
The selected option Nissan of Make field is no longer valid, then the Make field displays an Edit icon and the subsequent fields are disabled.
To edit an invalid option:
- Click the Edit Icon. A message displays to confirm modification of the field.
- Click Yes to clear all the fields and to enable Make field.
The following are the invalid option combinations:
- Multiple options are selected in a field for which options now exist at a lower level
- Multiple options are selected in a field and options no longer exist
Multiple options are selected in a field for which options now exist at a lower level:
For Example:
In the Vehicle table, the Make and Model fields are valid but the Style field is no longer a multi-select field because options exist at a lower-level.
The Edit icon is displayed for the Style field and the subsequent fields are disabled.
To edit a lower-level invalid option:
- Click Edit icon. A message is displayed to confirm modification of the field.
- Click Yes to clear the Style field.
The Style field selection setting is cleared. The Style field is now single-select.
- Select an option in the Style field.
The available Package field options depend on the selected option in the Style field.
Multiple Options are selected in a field but options no longer exist:
For Example:
In the Vehicle table, the options in the Make, Model, Style and Package fields are selected.
After the new option list is imported, the options in the Package field no longer exist.
The field Package is displayed with the Edit icon.
To edit an invalid option:
- Click Edit icon. A message displays to confirm modification of the field.
- Click Yes to clear the field.
You cannot re-select the options.
The Package field is unavailable for the options selected in the Make, Model, and Style fields.
Importing Related Options
In order to populate the options in your Related Options fields, you must import a file template
You can import a file up to 10 MB in size. CounselLink accepts .xls and .xlsx formats for upload.
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Click Choose File next to Import File on the Related Options: Call log window.
The Choose File to Upload window displays.
- Select the file from its location.
- Click Open. The file is added to the window.
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Click Import. The Import Related Options page opens with a summary of the list options.
The Import Related Options page displays an error message if you do not adhere to the Single-select or Dynamic-select file import rules. Fix the errors and re-upload the file.
- Click Continue to import the data from the selected file. The Import Related Options Confirmation window displays.
- Click Done.