combo box with 2 visible columns

[cpampas]

i can t figure out how to build combo box with 2 visible columns, like I had in my ms Access database
is it posible ?

[Peter.Greulich]

Re: combo box with 2 visible columns

Select "expression" as the field type.

[cpampas]

Re: combo box with 2 visible columns

Hi Peter,
Thanks for your reply, but i can only see that option "expression" (Display Value field/expression) with dbf-tables and my backend data is mySQL.
I noticed that with AlphaDAO data source the sql with the data for the combobox control can be set with the 2 columns

SELECT DISTINCT ContaID, Conta
FROM tblContas

but there is only 1 field display choice available

[GGandhi]

Re: combo box with 2 visible columns

nope.
click on the expert button, the one next to genie, then in the middle there is a button build sql statement like that click on that.
then add the table. then click on the column and then on the left hand bottom a hyperlink insert expression click and then insert character expression "concatenate". when done remove the inside of the parenthesis and insert the fields you want to show including any spaces. ( since you want the id to be saved as per your image include id next, so there will be two columns) the click ok till you come out and check the result.

[cpampas]

Re: combo box with 2 visible columns

Gandhi,
Thanks for your reply. I am nearly there. the field is being store correctly in my back end database,and on droping down the combo, it displays the concatenated expression, but I still have 2 problems :

1 - I would like to have a delimeter between the 2 concatenated fields. I tryed :
Concatenate(ContaID,'|', Conta)
and that returns the data with the delimeter, but somehow it prevents storing the bound value to the backend, wich is the 2nd column of the sql.

2 - As in the attached image , after an option from the combobox has been chosen , I would like it to display only the field ContaID, wich is the bound field to be stored, 2nd column of the sql


Is this posible ?
Carlos

COMBO1.png

[GGandhi]

Re: combo box with 2 visible columns

i am not sure that can be done with the drop down object,
if you use lookup, edit combo then you can show more than one fields then store whichever you choose.

[cpampas]

Re: combo box with 2 visible columns

Gandhi,
I will look into that.

Anyway, I have to say that for someone starting with Alpha coming from MS Access, and in line with some posts I ve been reading on this forum, it is becoming extreamly complex for newbies to achieve, what one would say are simple tasks, like the one here, that wouldnt take more than 30 seconds to implement with ms access.
Is it possible that the inicial purpose of making it easier to program with different wizards and genies, and limited hard code, lead to a different outcome ? at least for those starting like me.


Thanks for you help
Carlos

[GGandhi]

Re: combo box with 2 visible columns

probably you are right, just like anything else when you change from something you know too well to something new you always think of those good old days.
only to realize there is a reason that you came to the new line of thinking. when time goes on you won't remember those fond old days.
I do not use access, so no reason to defend it or praise it at this time. but in all fairness I have to admit that I thought you were talking about web side. so my apologies.
if you think of desktop, when the odds are even to both alpha and access I created this combo box less than 30 seconds. this is for desktop side which access is, as far as I know.
but think of other stuff...
alpha can do
the web side,
connect to almost all the sqls out there without any problem,
can make your javascript easier to write ( you may be an expert, I am not),
and with version 12 you have under your belt it make mobile phone come alive I am told. (I cannot afford version 12),
and if you write your javascript jquery front end as I am doing now even with version 11 you can do phones alpha will do the backend for the phones,
and, alpha can easily capitalize the first letter of each word in a string, I mean without coding.

lastly but not the least where would you find a supporting community such as this, I bet, not ms access.
http://screencast.com/t/4XzUXgNpU3

[cpampas]

Re: combo box with 2 visible columns

it looks great the combo with diferent columns
was that with lookup, edit combo?

you are right about this community being a great way to learn , still maybe there would be another way to complement this. maybe another section in this forum, as suggested before where newbies could pay for simple tasks to the more experienced. I am not talking about $400/hour.

thanks
Carlos

[GGandhi]

Re: combo box with 2 visible columns

lookup for a field in table field rule design
selecting what table has the records and
what to display and
how to display.

[cpampas]

Re: combo box with 2 visible columns

Gandhi,

Because the lenght of my numeric column field is fixed I found a shortcut solution until I can implement yours, wich was to set the in-line style property of the combobox control so that it fits the size of my numeric field.
As in the image I was able to go to the lookup, field rule design. so I guess I should go now to the combobox properties, choose the dbf table. still didnt figure out how I do the rest, but i keep on with it until I learn.

combo.png

Thanks
Carlos

[GGandhi]

Re: combo box with 2 visible columns

you are confusing me.
you are on the desktop side, and originally I thought you asked for a web side solution then I suggested desktop solution since you picture and reference to access, now I see you are on the web side.
in web side the dropdown does not look as good as it does on the desktop side, the length varies. you may need work out a different solution. if I get some time I will take a look at this.