Use Data Sources in Forms
When you set up a Dropdown, Multiselect, or Radio Button question, you can choose to “look up” the options from a Data Source
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.. This lets you push information to other questions based on the field user’s selection. This topic describes how to set up a lookup question to reference a Data Source.
Available on all tiers:
Contents
About
In order for a form to use existing information, the data must be uploaded as a data source and referenced in a lookup question (Dropdown, Multiselect, or Radio Button question) in the form. We store Data Sources 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. as tables (rows and columns) in the TrueContext system.
Steps to reference a Data Source in a Form
-
Navigate to the form that you want to set up.
From the Manage Forms menu, create or edit a Mobile App form.
-
To create a new form:
Manage Forms > Create New Form > Build a Mobile Form
Enter a name and description, and then save the form.
-
To edit a form:
Manage Forms > List Forms > FormName > Edit Form
where FormName is the form that you want to edit.
-
-
Select or create the Dropdown, Multiselect, or Radio Button question that you want the Data Source to populate.
-
Select the OPTIONS tab. In the Option Type section, select Use Data Source for Options.
-
Select an existing Data Source or ADD A NEW DATA SOURCE.
Info:The topic Create and Manage Data Sources describes how to add a new Data Source.
-
Set up the Data Source and other options.
Data Source options
Option Description Column value displayed on device The information to display to your field users. For example, field users can select a Part Name, rather than a Part ID. This makes it easier for them to choose the correct answer. Column value submitted to server The information that the server stores as the answer and sends to your Data Destinations A Data Destination specifies where to send data from a submitted form. You can use Data Destinations to automate data sharing and storage, routing data to a specific service (such as email or cloud storage) in several different formats. and Documents. The value doesn’t have to match the Column value displayed on device. For example, you can display the Part Name for the user to select and send the Part ID to the server.Hide duplicate options Hides duplicated data from the list of options. Multi-Language options
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.
Info:The topic Data Source Translations describes how to set up a Data Source for translations.
Multi-Column View and Default Sort Options
If your organization is on the Enterprise tier, you can display multiple columns and pre-sort the information.
Info:The topic Multi-Column View and Default Sort Options describes these options and how to set them up.
Filter Options
Filter the list of options to shorten the list, making it easier and faster for users to fill out a form.
Use Location-Based Features
Set up location-based features when you want your field users to select a job site based on how close it is. Users can choose from map or list views.
Push Data to Other Questions
Use a Data Source to prefill fields in a form based on the answer to a previous question. This can:
-
Provide key information to your field users.
-
Save field users time.
-
Reduce errors by prefilling important information.
-