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Is it possible to show different layouts based on a dropdownbox selection?

Question asked by merijn097 on Feb 4, 2019
Latest reply on Feb 5, 2019 by richardsrussell

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I'm trying to make a database to keep record of all the IT in a business.

I'm trying to make a layout that changes based on what is choosen in a dropdownbox. I know this'll probably require a script of some kind but I can't figure out whether it's possible or not. I've googled for several days and searched far and wide but I can't find anything to help me.

My current database looks a little like this and is based somewhat on the dewy decimal system.

My layout looks like this.

What I want to happen is that when you choose a catagory like: 'Laptop' or 'Keyboard' that the boxes on the bottom right will change (show or disappear) according to what I think will be needed to fill out.

I'm not trying to have someone solve my problem, I simply want to know whether it's possible and if there is a certain name for this or something that will help me find the correct information to start building.

Thanks in advance.

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user19752 Feb 4, 2019 9:44 PM
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"Dropdown selection" fire onObjectSave trigger, so you can do with script.
Making a slide control then each category have its panel?
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merijn097 @ user19752 on Feb 4, 2019 9:59 PM
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I'm very sorry but I can't make much of what you wrote. My English isn't that great and neither do I master the terminology of most filemaker/database stuff yet. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to help me out but I'm afraid your response isn't getting me further. I don't know what slide control is so I'll start by looking into that. 'Then each category have its panel' I just don't understand that sentence. Sorry.

I just looked into slide control. Now it totally makes sense. Yeah that would be a decent option. Yet I need the other boxes to show or hide depending on what category has been chosen. I'll start looking into whether that's possible using slide control and panels
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comment @ merijn097 on Feb 5, 2019 12:03 AM
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merijn097 wrote:

I need the other boxes to show or hide depending on what category has been chosen.
The question that needs to be asked first is where will all these "boxes" live in your data structure. If you have say 10 categories, and each category has 10 unique fields, you will end up with a table of 100 fields (in addition to the common fields) - and in every record 90% of these fields will be empty. This is not necessarily such a bad thing - but there are other options to consider, for example the object-attribute-value data model or a supertype/subtype structure.

If you decide to go with a single wide table, then slide panels should work well for you. Add a panel for each category and place the corresponding fields there. Give each panel an object name so that you can select it using the Go to Object script step. And see also:
FileMaker Pro 17 Advanced Help
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merijn097 @ comment on Feb 5, 2019 1:37 AM
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In my head I thought of it like this.

If I had 10 catagories, that would be 1 set list of 10 catagories.
If I had lets say 10 unique fields that means I would have 11 fields in total.
1 for the catagory choice and the rest of the fields would either be filled in accordingly or left open. (same goes for the users and locations) I don't really see either why open spaces would be a bad thing.

that way you'd end up with a large table that you could filter trough with simple finds.

I don't really want to change database model since I am not great with them and I had to go back to studing what model would fit best. If it so happens to be that my current model really, really isn't a great idea do let me know as I am not that sure myself.

Thanks for the tips of course. I'm currently working on making different panels for the catagories.
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comment @ merijn097 on Feb 5, 2019 1:58 AM
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merijn097 wrote:

If I had 10 catagories, that would be 1 set list of 10 catagories.
If I had lets say 10 unique fields that means I would have 11 fields in total.
I am afraid I cannot follow your logic. Suppose you have only 2 categories: computer and printer. Computer has fields for CPU and Memory. Printer has fields for Resolution and Speed. Both have fields for ItemID, Category and Manufacturer. That's 3 common fields and 4 unique fields in the Items table.

merijn097 wrote:

I don't really see either why open spaces would be a bad thing.
That would be a long discussion. Let me point out just one aspect: in the EAV model, creating a new category and assigning attributes to it is something a user can accomplish just by adding data to the existing structure. In the sparse table model, this would require a developer to modify the DB schema.
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merijn097 @ comment on Feb 5, 2019 2:09 AM
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The way I set it up right now is that there are no fields for: 'printer', 'computer', etc. There is only a field called 'catagories' which holds records. Related to the 'Catagories' table is the 'Item' table. I set the dropdownbox to reference all the records so you get a nice list of the catagories (records I created). This 'Catagories' table will be locked for users in the future so only records (aka catagories) can be added by the admin.

If I did it the way you said then yes, I would have to change model for sure. I discovered that too so I based my model on the dewy decimal system so that I can have a big table with all the information of everything.
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Stigge Feb 5, 2019 5:26 AM
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Hi

I did something simular.. i used "Slide Controll"
So when dropdown is changed, script triggered and sets a global variable. The global variable desides what Slide to show.
Slides are easly controlled with the function Go To Object

good luck =)

/Stigge
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richardsrussell Feb 5, 2019 7:56 AM
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Perhaps a tab control would do what you need. Here's what they look like:

And here's how you make them in Layout mode:

The tabs would have names like "Laptop", "Keyboard", "Vortex", etc., and each would show only the fields appropriate for that category. Users would see those fields by clicking on the desired tab rather than selecting them from a drop-down menu.
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Is it possible to show different layouts based on a dropdownbox selection?

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