Simple Examples of Data Source Setup

Data SourcesClosed Data sources, also known as "Lookups", are external sources of data that you upload or connect to TrueContext. You can reference this data in a form to populate answers or answer options. Data sources save typing, reduce errors, and make it easy to provide mobile users with only the relevant, most current data., or “lookups”, are external sources of data that are uploaded or connected to TrueContext. This topic provides two simple examples of how to set up a Data SourceClosed Data sources, also known as "Lookups", are external sources of data that you upload or connect to TrueContext. You can reference this data in a form to populate answers or answer options. Data sources save typing, reduce errors, and make it easy to provide mobile users with only the relevant, most current data. for a Dropdown, Multiselect, or Radio Button question. The first example shows how to provide a list of values for mobile users to select from. The second example shows how to use display and data (server) values to help your mobile users select the correct option.

Available on all tiers:

Essentials
Advanced
Enterprise

Contents

Set up a list of options

In this example, the mobile user needs to complete a work order that includes required parts. First, set up the parts list Data Source, and then use that Data Source in a Dropdown, Multiselect, or Radio Button question.

  1. Create your Data Source and connect it to TrueContext. The following example shows the “Parts” column.

    Parts
    2" Screw
    3" Screw
    2" Washer
    3" Washer
    2" Nut
    3" Nut

  2. Add or edit a Dropdown, Multiselect, or Radio Button lookup question.

  3. Select the Options tab, select Use Data Source for Options, and then choose the parts list Data Source.

  4. Select the column that contains the list of parts that you want to display to the field user.

  5. Save the question, and then Save and Deploy the form.

    Result: The field user can select a part from the list.

Info:

If you have the Multi-Language add-on, you can set up a lookup question to display the options in the user’s selected language.

Set up different display and data values

Using a similar parts list, this example shows how to collect a part number for your records. To make it easier for users to select the correct part, set up different display and data (server) values. The Data Source must have two separate columns, one for Part Name and one for Part Number:

Part Name Part Number
2" Screw SCR2IN
3" Screw SCR3IN
2" Washer WSR2IN
3" Washer WSR3IN
2" Nut NT2INC
3" Nut NT3INC

  1. Create your Data Source and connect it to TrueContext.

  2. Add or edit a Dropdown, Multiselect, or Radio Button lookup question.

  3. Select the Options tab, select Use Data Source for Options, and then choose the parts list Data Source.

  4. Select the column that contains the list of parts to display to the field user.

  5. Select the column that contains the values to record as answers.

  6. Save the question, and then Save and Deploy the form.

    Result: The field user can select a part name from the list. The data sent to the server includes the part number.

Info:Customers on the Enterprise tier can use the Multi-Column View and Default Sort Options. These make it easier for field users to select the right answer to a Dropdown, Multiselect, or Radio Button question.

Related topics