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We have several forms that contain dropdowns with information that changes fairly regularly throughout a given year. We'd like to have this stored in a single custom table on our db server and have the form query the table and create the dropdown values dynamically. I've not come across an example of how to do this.
In the past, we've used text config files that act as centralized locations for lookup data like this but we'd like to move these into a database driven solution. Our devs are experienced sql developers but we can't make the jump from MEL form into the database.
Does anyone have an example of populating a dropdown from a custom query?
Posted : December 2, 2016 10:32 am
Have you considered having your database admin create a stored procedure that triggers when the database containing your lookup values gets updated? When triggered, the stored procedure could create an updated text file with comma delimited or pipe delimited vales and store it in a common area on your network. This file could get parsed when the form component loads and dynamically display the pick list values. There is also a user in the forum that has created a utility that will allow you to query a database and return values in pipe/caret delimited format. He is pretty good at responding to questions like this, so that would be an option as well.
Posted : December 2, 2016 11:25 am
I suggest you contact John Fitzgerald, https://centricityusers.com/forum/user/jfitzmd/. He has a tool that will allow you to query the database from a VFE form, and I believe it should be able to accomplish what you are needing. I haven't used the tool yet in my forms, but I've seen how it works, and it seems pretty easy to use and I believe should work for what you are trying to do.
Posted : December 2, 2016 11:46 am
I developed a program to execute standard SQL queries against the CentricityDB and return data back to the calling routine. This would address your issue. Feel free to contact me.
Posted : December 2, 2016 12:33 pm
Hi:
We have been told by our VAR that dropdowns are not possible in the forms. If anyone has a sample form that they would be willing to share that has dropdowns featured, I would appreciate it as well as any instructions on how to create a form with drop downs.
Thank you.
Michelle S. Carabin
Professional Orthopaedic Associates
Posted : December 5, 2016 2:09 am
Please contact me and I will show you a solution.
Posted : December 5, 2016 4:40 am
