Sorting Value Lists

[Flappy]

I am working on an application for garments and I want to use a drop down list in the user interface for garment sizes. My problem is mostly aesthetic in that I cannot figure out a way to sort the sizes into the logical order they come in. I need to use related records because the sizes vary depending on the garment, so using custom values doesn't work, though in my example I use one to show what I am hoping to accomplish. Any ideas ?

Size_Example.fp7.zip

[comment]

With a short value list (up to around 100 values) you could use something like this.

Note that the SortBy field should be a calculation, but I don't have the time to do it now.

Size_ExampleMod.fp7.zip

[Flappy]

Brilliant! Thanks. I knew it had to be something like that, but it has escaped me.

[Jason Lane]

Comment,

I've run into pretty much the same problem, with a slight variation... The field in question (using a Pop-Up Menu) needs to store a foreign key that the user shouldn't see. Therefore, my value list (based on a related table) is set to only display values from a 2nd field (eg. department), which is something more descriptive to the user. I believe this is pretty standard operating procedure in FM development.

Problem is, it seems to me this doesn't really leave any way to sort the value list using a method similar to the one you've given. Once I select the option to "Show values only from second field" I only have one option of field to sort by, and since that's the field that I want the users to see, I can't very well use invisible spaces in that field. I need an option for a 3rd field -)

One solution I've thought of is to NOT use the foreign key as the 1st field of the value list, and instead use the descriptive field. I could then use your sorting method, and then when the user saves the record, use a script to set the foreign key based on the chosen value. I wouldn't normally like to do something like this, but in this particular case it might be OK.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Jason

[comment]

Value lists are a simple solution to a simple problem. I'd suggest you graduate to a more flexible method, such as scripted selection from a portal or from a list view in a new window.

[Jason Lane]

Yeah, I'm familiar with those other options, but I was really hoping to just find some way to use a value list in these cases where I'm dealing with a very small record set for the value list.

Anyway, I appreciate your reply.

[comment]

There's nothing that you haven't already discovered, I'm afraid. If you like, you can make the department name serve as the key - with the inconvenience of handling a potential name-change by a script.

[Jim Lah]

I have been struggling with this too - want to use the value list in a drop down but sorted - not alphabetically.

Closest I have found is to reverse the order of the fields in a value list so that the sort field is the second field displayed. By making the sort field a long series of blanks with the sort number appended at the end then the sort number doesn't appear within the field on the layout - though it does appear within the drop down which still looks ugly.

I feel there must be an obvious answer out there somewhere ...

[comment]

Have you read the entire thread?

[Jim Lah]

Ah, got it now. Couldn't see the spaces in your sort field. But now it works. Thanks.

[comment]

Couldn't see the spaces

That's kinda the idea behind this. :P