Infopath Cascading Drop-Down (Screencast)
Author: Laura Rogers, Birmingham, AL
SharePoint 911
How do I create a cascading drop-down box in my SharePoint list? This question is asked a lot. Unfortunately, there is not an out-of-box way to do this in a SharePoint list. In this screencast, you will not only learn what a cascading drop-down box is, but how to easily create one in InfoPath 2007.
If you’ve never used InfoPath, and are wondering if you can try it, here are a couple of things to remember:
- There are 2 types of forms: Client-based and browser based.
- Client-based requires end users of the form to have InfoPath software on their computers. This is part of some suites of Microsoft Office.
- Browser-based forms have some limitations as to field types and more advanced features, but do not require any client-side software. They’re part of InfoPath Forms Services.
- In order to utilize InfoPath Forms Services functionalities, like the ability to publish browser-based forms, MOSS is required.
- If all clients who will use the form DO have InfoPath installed, then the form can be published to a SharePoint library, simply using WSS (or MOSS)
An important thing to note is that this particular solution involves field filters, which are NOT supported in browser-based forms. This means that in order to roll-out a solution like this example, all client computers would need to have at least InfoPath 2003.
If InfoPath is not an option, and cascading drop-downs are required, there are a couple of other ways to go about it. There is a free codeplex one http://cascddlistwithfilter.codeplex.com/ that would have to be installed on the server and deployed. Also, there is a Bamboo Lookup Selector that can be purchased and installed on the server. Feel free to chime in with other options. Oh and of course, you can get a developer to custom develop one from scratch.
Laura Rogers
SharePoint 911
This was a GREAT presentation…
I’m trying to develop an InfoPath class for the Marines and this is a perfect example of why they can/should use it.
InfoPath is installed on every computer in the Marine Corps by default, but VERY few use it.
Very user friendly presentation! : )
There’s also the Connected Lookup Field, created by Leonid Lyubinski: http://blogs.msdn.com/leonidly/archive/2007/06/24/connected-lookup-field.aspx
I’ve used it with good results, but I don’t think he’s maintaining it, so one of the other solutions may be better.
Is this functionality native in 2010?
Another great video, Laura. You’re full of great ideas!
Here’s another reference. For developers, this is on the InfoPath Team blog, called Cascading Dropdowns in Browser Forms http://blogs.msdn.com/infopath/archive/2006/10/12/cascading-dropdowns-in-browser-forms.aspx
Great screencast :)
If you’d like an option that doesn’t require anything to be loaded on the server, take a look at my SPCascadeDropdowns function in my jQuery Library for SharePoint Web Services (http://spservices.codeplex.com). You can read more about this library right here on EndUserSharePoint.com: http://www.endusersharepoint.com/category/author/marc-d-anderson/
M.
I have tried this same thing in Infopath 2003 and failed!!!
Any idea, how to achive this in infopath 2003 ?
Sudip Misra
[email protected]
I’ve used Marc’s jQuery library to accomplish this without the requirement for InfoPath, especially since I only use browser forms. As Laura mentions, filters are unsupported in browser forms which severely limits the usefulness of this solution.
Marc’s solution works like a charm!
Thanks a lot Laura.
It’s really easy after looking @ your example.
Cheers
I have had much success with cascading drop-down in InfoPath browser forms using the ideas presented here: http://www.bizsupportonline.net/browserforms/filter-cascade-drop-down-infopath-sharepoint-browser-form-owssvr-dll.htm.
Laura: I really appreciate your articles, they have helped me immensely!
Do you have a similar solution for using an Infopath browser-based form?
Another great presentation Laura!
Am working on going “paperless” at our college and will be using this over and over again in our forms! Having worked with FileMaker Pro and other database formats I knew there had to be a way with InfoPath and SharePoint to do this. Thanks for putting in easy to follow format!!
Hey, cool post. Now there is almost an out-of the box solution to make these in SharePoint also. I’ve prepared a JavaScript – very simple to setup: http://spcd.codeplex.com
Laura,
(or anyone else who can help)
I have tried the above and I have a 4 step cascade that I want to make of Airport, Area, Equipment type, and Serial #. This is based on a Sharepoint List. The first two, Airport and Area, work great, but when I choose an equipment, there are options in the drop-down that don’t mesh with the prior choices. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks!
Thanks Laura for this screencast. I’m an InfoPath newbie and have found it tremendously helpful.
My follow-up question is:
Once I have linked all my fields to an external data source and the user selects their two or three drop-downs, how can I create an expression to pull the value from a different field based on the selections?
e.g. in your Locations example, If I wanted to show the 2-letter state code for the state they have selected, what is the XPath expression to use to show the external data source field?
Hey guys, quick update. I’d like to note that now with InfoPath 2010, you CAN do a filtered drop-down box in a browser-based form!!
I was wondering if you could provide some insight into SharePoint folders connection to InfoPath.
Here is what we are trying to accomplish. We have an InfoPath form that was built to look at a SharePoint list to create a drop box of choices. When we started getting a large number of items in the list we added a folder to the list to hold the new information. Thinking that we could then just continue the connection without issue however, InfoPath does not look into the folder and only pulls the items in the root of the list.
Do you know how to make it look into the folder or any other options/ideas that we could try?
The folder must be used to separate out the different years. In the past we created a new list for each year, which meant recreating the same views etc… Having to update multiple locations with user persmissions etc..
So to eliminate some of the maintenance and other issues we created a folder in the list.
Lynn,
InfoPath will only pull in whatever’s listed in the default view of the list. I guess one thing you could do would be to go modify the default view, and in the view settings click “show all items without folders” in the Folders section. But then I still think there’s going to be some inherent limit to the number of items.
If you want to get any more advanced than that, then you’d have to start using a web service connection to get to the data… that’s dev stuff.
THANK YOU!!!!!
this allows us to continue using the form with out chaning it or relinking.
Thanks Laura that has saved me so much time. What other help videos have you done around Infopath?