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Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout background
F
ILEMAKER PRO HELP 340
Defining value lists
If a field uses the same set of text, number, date, or time values for many or all records, you can
create a
value list that includes those values. Then, format a field to display the values as a pop-up
menu, a drop-down list, or as a series of checkboxes or radio buttons.
For example, define a value list that contains two values, New and Continuing. Then, define a
Customer Type field to display the values in that list as radio buttons.
Value lists help make data entry faster and more accurate. You can display the values in a particular
order; for example, by month or region.
Displaying data in a value list is a two-step process:
1. Create a value list. You can:
• Create a custom value list.
• Use values from a field in the current file or another file.
• Use values from an existing value list in another file.
2. In Layout mode, use the Inspector to format a field to display the values in a pop-up menu,
drop-down list, checkboxes, or radio buttons.
Defining a custom value list
This method is the easiest way to create a value list, because you type the values to be displayed.
1. Choose File menu > Manage > Value Lists.
In Layout mode, you can also click Manage in the status toolbar, then choose Value Lists.
2. In the Manage Value Lists dialog box, click New.
3. In the Edit Value List dialog box, for Value List Name, type a name.
4. Select Use custom values, then type each value on a separate line, in the order you want
them to appear.
Press Enter (Windows) or Return (OS X) to separate each value on its own line.
Tip To create a separator line between items in a pop-up menu or drop-down list, or produce
spaces between radio buttons or checkboxes, type a hyphen on a separate line where you want
each separator line or space to appear.
5. Click OK twice to close the Edit Value List dialog box and then the Manage Value Lists
dialog box.
6. Format a field to display values from the value list. See Setting up a field to display a pop-up
menu, checkbox set, or other control.
Defining a value list using a field in the current or another file
A value list created using this method is dynamically updated whenever the values change in the
field that the list is based on. Also, if the field is in a
related table, you can show all the values in the
field, or only the related values.
Values from a value list