Possible methods to filter contents of a dropdown list

[Joe_Schmo]

I have a table of personnel which includes a "department" field. There's a related table, with a layout that has several dropdowns that all have the last and first names of personnel as the data to display.

Each field on the layout corresponds to only one or two applicable departments due to the nature of the form and it's purpose. For that particular field on the layout, only names from a certain department would ever be selected. Having ALL personnel show up just clutters things and makes the dropdown list huge.

I was working on a conditional value list but I'm not getting anywhere so I'd like to take a step back and get everyone's input on what is the best method to achieve this filtered dropdown list result. I don't want the user to have to enter the filter criteria. I want one dropdown that only shows personnel from department A in the field where that is the only applicable department; then another dropdown that only shows personnel from departments B and C (some will have two, but still filtered), and so on.

Possible Ideas

• a saved find of the personnel table (one find for each department). Somehow make the name field of the found set be the source of the dropdown
  
• Conditional value list: I'm at a dead end on this method. see thread: http://fmforums.com/forum/topic/80277-filtering-contents-of-dropdown-menu-using-values-from-another-field/page__fromsearch__1
  
• separate TO of the personnel table for each department or several child tables of the personnel table that only contain the personnel in one department (I know, seems messy)
  
• 
  

Any other suggestions are welcome! I really like the idea of the saved find results being the source of the dropdown but I've brought it up a few times in another thread and couldn't get any advice on implementing it.

[Echo33029]

Try the attached for a simple way to filter a value list

Filtered Value List.zip

[comment]

This is a duplicate thread:

http://fmforums.com/forum/topic/80277-filtering-contents-of-dropdown-menu-using-values-from-another-field/page__p__373468

[Joe_Schmo]

Comment-

A appreciate you trying to keep the forum clean and aviod duplicates. But if you look at the other thread, it pertains to filtering the contents of a dropdown specifically based on values from another field, where as this thread was started to explore alternative methods. I was having difficulty at the time in using the first method and wanted to explore other options.However, I have found a way to get the filtering effect I was looking for from the help of another user so if you think this thread should be removed then that's fine.

On another note-

I'd rather use a private message to say this but you must have them disabled. I'm able to message other members but not you. I'm sorry if I upset you last week in one of my other threads. Working on the database for 8-10 hrs a day after three days was getting a little frustrating and I was the one that was loosing my patients. I hope you're not still upset and out going through my threads looking for more ammunition because I'd really like to call a cease fire here. You were a big help in the beginning of that thread and I'd much rather have someone of your expertise answering my questions rather than tearing them apart.

Either way, thanks for the help you gave me earlier. I know you were just trying to help and that my lack of understanding and terminology is what was making it so difficult. I jumped into the deep end with this project without knowing how to swim and this forum has been my life jacket. I appreciate all of you on here for your efforts.

[comment]

I hope you're not still upset and out going through my threads looking for more ammunition

I am afraid you are flattering yourself just a bit too much...