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Choice Columns

If a column is set to the 'choice' column type, the column allows values from a list of choices that you specify. This is a great way to ensure that your column can only contain one of a predetermined set of values. The column displays a pop-up menu and lets the user choose only a select group of values. For example, you may set up a Choice field with the values such as:

  • "Always", "Sometimes" and "Never".
  • "Brown", "Green", "Orange", "Red", "White" and "Yellow".
  • "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday" and "Sunday".
  • "Male" and "Female".
  • "Widget A", "Widget B" and "Widget C".

To set a column's type to be 'choice':

  1. Edit the structure of the table.
  2. In the top 'Structure' panel, double-click or press the space bar in the 'Type' column in the cell that corresponds to the column you are changing.
  3. Choose the 'Choice' type.
  4. Now double click in the 'Extra Type Info' column one cell to the right.

Once you've double-clicked in the 'Extra Type Info' cell, you will see a dialog that lets you control the allowed list of choice values. In the below example the allowed choices are a set of colors:

Dialog Box Options:

  • Choice entries: the ordered (per current order) list of entries.  This does not include the "Blank Option".
  • Include a Blank Option: if this is checked, the "0" entry in the list will be a blank.  The "0" entry is only used for this option and will be missing if this is turned off.  The user is free to add as many other blank options to the entry list as he wants - but, this would not make any sense.
  • Add Another Entry: a new entry will be added to the end of the list.  Later, it can be moved into a different position with the "Sort Entries", "Move Entry Up", & "Move Entry Down" buttons.
  • Delete Selected Entry: deletes the selected entry from the list.  When the user clicks "OK", any table cell that refers to the deleted entry will be blanked.
  • Sort Entries: sorts the entries in alphabetical order (no reverse alpha available).
  • Move Entry Up: move the selected entry up one position in the list.
  • Move Entry Down: move the selected entry down one position in the list.

Table Data is Updated After Choice Changes

Any edit to the list of choices will be reflected in the table so you can add new entries, rearrange the order of entries, or change the text for entries without corrupting your table data.  These changes will be applied at the end of editing the option list.  But, please note: deleting an entry from the option list will result in blanking out any cells that refer to that entry.