Automatically show dropdown list via a script

[JoniS]

I am trying to figure out how to allow the user to click on an uneditable textbox and automatically change focus to the dropdown box next to it, and display the list of items.

Background on why I want to do this:

I have a large value list that is created via a table. In order to easily scroll through the large list, I have the value list displayed using a dropdown box on the page layout. But, because dropdown lists can't display the second value after you select an item and it would only show the id number for the item selected, I have another uneditable text box next to the dropdown box to display the second, text value chosen from the dropdown box.

On the layout, it looks like one field, but it is a textbox next to a tiny dropdown box that has been shrunk to the size of the dropdown arrow (so you can't see the id number after you select an item).

So, in order to not confuse the user, I want them to be able to click on the textbox and display the dropdown list in the dropdown box next to it.

I just don't know how to script this. I can "select" the dropdown box, but it doesn't display the dropdown list automatically.

Is there a way to do this?

Thanks,

Joni

[bcooney]

The usual approach is to have the dropdown list behind a non-enterable, and background filled, related field (your second value in the drop-down's value list). The layering will achieve the interface you want.

But beware, anytime a drop down is used, you run the risk of a user clicking twice and typing in the downdown.

For long value lists, you may wish to use a filtered portal popup window or a popup list view with a find button/select routine.

See Scott Love's Popup Technique

Edited July 2, 2008 by Guest