Filtered Drop-Down Lists
The Platform is customizable to help you do church your way. You can filter your drop-down lists depending on other fields to set your casual users up for success. For example, limit the Group Role drop-down list on the Participation Requirements page to Group Roles with the selected Group Role Type.
- You can filter drop-down lists if they are dependent on a condition. This streamlines the processes by only displaying relevant options.
- Apply one filter per drop-down list.
- While the drop-down list is limited, every option is available. You can use the picker and switch the view to All Records to select any valid value.
- Bonus: You can layer a filtered drop-down list with the Page's pick-list view to create a truly custom experience.
- Page
- The page the drop-down list is on. This is specific to the page, not the record.
- Field Name
- A Field on the Page identified in the Page field. This needs to be a drop-down field (lookup Field).
- Enter the actual, proper field name here. See Table Lookup Convention for additional information.
- Enter the field name like this, for example: Occupation = Occupation_ID
- Filter Clause
- A valid SQL WHERE statement defining when to apply the filter. Curly brackets at the end of the SQL clause identify a field on a specified page.
Note: This value comes from the Page where the drop-down list options are stored, not the page with the drop-down list you're filtering.
- Depends on Field
- The field that, when changed, changes the options that display in the drop-down list. For example, changing the Group Role Type field on the Participation requirements page changes the options available in the Group Role drop-down list.
- If the drop-down list options depend on anything, enter that Page ID here.
- In our Participation Requirements example, enter the Group Role Types Page ID here, because the drop-down list filters based on the Group Role Type you selected.
- Group_Role_Type_ID
- If the drop-down list options do not depend on anything, enter the Page ID of the Page identified in the Page field here.
- For example, to limit the Standard Statement drop-down list on the Accounting Companies page, enter the Accounting Companies Page, because the drop-down list is limited to the Standard Statement no matter what other values are selected.
- Accounting_Company_ID
- This value is required to set up a filtered drop-down list. It is not required for other types of Field Management.
- If the drop-down list options depend on anything, enter that Page ID here.
Filtered Drop-Down List Defaults
These drop-down list filters are included at deployment. Don't be afraid to add your own filters to make ministry easier for your church. These filtered lists apply whether they are on a page or sub-page.
- Accounting Companies: Filters the Statement drop-down list to show the Donor Standard Statement.
- All Form Fields: Filters the Depends On drop-down list to fields on the selected Custom Form.
- All Steps: Filters the Escalate to Step drop-down list to steps in the selected Process.
- Event Participants: Filters the Group Participant drop-down list to Group Participants associated with the selected Event Participant. No more guessing which Bob Smith is the correct Bob Smith!
- Events: Filter the Programs drop-down list to Programs associated with the selected Congregation.
- Household Care Log: Filters the Household drop-down list to Households associated with the selected Care Case.
- Needs: Filters the Providers drop-down list to Providers approved to provide the selected Need Type.
- Participation Requirements: Filters the Group Role drop-down list to Group Roles with the selected Group Role Type.
- Room Reservations: Filters the Room drop-down list to Rooms associated with the selected Events Campus.
Add a Filter Clause
Use the Advanced Search Tool to get this SQL value.
- Go to the page where the drop-down list options are stored (in our example, the Group Role Types page).
- Open the Advanced Search Tool and select the files want to filter by.
- Switch to SQL Layout.
- Copy and paste the SQL.
Set Up a Filtered Drop-Down List
We'll include some filtered drop-down lists on deployment, but you can set up your own to suit your church.
- In the navigation menu, click .
- Click New Field Management.
- Make your selections.
- Click Save.
Did you come up with a creative way to filter a drop-down list? Share it with the MinistryPlatform Community and inspire other churches!