Change user interface for creating/editing Multiple choice and Drop down fields [3280]

Last post 03-30-2010, 4:39 PM by Chief_Apricot. 20 replies.
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  •  08-21-2009, 6:16 PM 14014

    • Judy is not online. Last active: Jun 27, 2011, 8:28 PM Judy
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    Change user interface for creating/editing Multiple choice and Drop down fields [3280]

    It would be really nice to have choices within multi-level fields  be movable. Or better yet, be listed in alpha/numeric order.

    What do you think?

    Judy


    Judy
  •  08-21-2009, 10:18 PM 14016 in reply to 14014

    Re: moveable choices within a multi-choice field

    can you give me an example? Not sure what you mean...

    Also 'multi-level fields' - do you mean multiple choice fields, aka checkboxes?


    Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot
  •  08-22-2009, 10:17 AM 14020 in reply to 14016

    • Judy is not online. Last active: Jun 27, 2011, 8:28 PM Judy
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    Re: moveable choices within a multi-choice field

    My apologies for being totally unclear. 

    When I create a new  field with multiple choice item/checkboxes, there is no easy way to sort the order of the choices I create. My goal is  for members/guests  to be able to search for cities/towns/neighborhoods  (perhaps zip codes) .

    I have created a pet care professional directory for AZ . At this time the majority of members will be pet sitters . I'm finding that attempting to enter every zip code in a pet sitters given service area, as a checkbox item, is overwhelming.  Entering cities  in the choices would be much less time consuming. However, there is no way to sort them alphabetically (or numerically for zip codes) in order for a new  member to make their choices  easy to find.

    The only work-around I've been able to figure out is to use a field with multiline text where a member can type in their zip codes and/or cities of choice. I may be making things more complicated than they need to be.

    Judy


    Judy
  •  08-24-2009, 9:14 AM 14030 in reply to 14020

    Re: moveable choices within a multi-choice field

    OK, so let me reconfirm:

    - let's focus no cities for simplicity sake for now

    - pet sitters (members) would fill out a checkbox (multiple choice)field to select all cities where they offer services in. (Do they often service multiple cities?)

    - you can enter all the cities (as options in this field) in the alphabetical order

    - now the question is how people can search by this field using the member directory, am I correct?

    One way I see this can be done is by setting up an Advanced search (with the service area field) as the default search screen. Then searchers can mark the desired options and run the search.


    Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot
  •  08-26-2009, 10:11 PM 14067 in reply to 14014

    • VCOMA is not online. Last active: 02-09-2012, 6:09 AM VCOMA
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    Re: moveable choices within a multi-choice field

    I agree.  I've often been frustrated by not being able to rearrange the order.  For example, if I add a choice later it can't be anywhere but at the bottom.
  •  08-30-2009, 10:07 PM 14103 in reply to 14030

    • Judy is not online. Last active: Jun 27, 2011, 8:28 PM Judy
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    Re: moveable choices within a multi-choice field

    Simplicity is good. :)

    Yes, it would be very helpful to have a list of checkboxes  that could be put in alpha or numeric order. 

    Yes, sitters often cross over into nearby cities/towns. Zip codes would be very time consuming to list as  there are hundreds of them within the Phoenix Valley.. let alone the entire state.

    I've set up a multi-line field for sitters to use to type in their preferred zip codes,  Can a particular zip be found easily by a search using that type field?

    I'm thinking that putting in +90 cities/towns in a checkbox list might be far easier and less hair pulling to accomplish what I want. A city search would do basically the same thing rather than typing in a gazillion zips myself. Those cityies/towns could be added as membership grows hense the need for a way to insert new additions easily.

    So having those checkboxes be 'moveable' would be excellent to put additions in alpha order. The only way I've found was  to highlight a given checkbox and then select "new " to insert a new selection in the list.


    Judy
  •  09-18-2009, 2:38 AM 14354 in reply to 14103

    • Judy is not online. Last active: Jun 27, 2011, 8:28 PM Judy
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    Re: moveable choices within a multi-choice field

    One way I see this can be done is by setting up an Advanced search (with the service area field) as the default search screen. Then searchers can mark the desired options and run the search.


    Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot

    So will my problem be addressed in the make over of the Member Directory?  In the meanwhile, are words (cities?) picked up in sayfor example a multi-text field for Service Area?

    Judy


    Judy
  •  09-18-2009, 8:55 AM 14357 in reply to 14354

    Re: moveable choices within a multi-choice field

    Sorry I am not quite clear on your questions.

    Can you reconfirm - "my problem" - what aspects specifically?

    And your other question - can you restate it?

     


    Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot
  •  09-18-2009, 11:01 AM 14360 in reply to 14357

    • Judy is not online. Last active: Jun 27, 2011, 8:28 PM Judy
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    Re: moveable choices within a multi-choice field

    My questions are a continuation of this thread http://community.wildapricot.com/thread/14357.aspx

    My original question was in regard to zip code and city/town searches. The focus is now on cities/towns.

    1. Members of my directory work/service in multiple communities. I would like for them to be able to select from a list of  -+130 towns/cities to customize their personal profile.

    Having the list in alpha order in a multiple-choice check-box format would enable members to easily select their business/service locations.  Pet sitters or mobile groomers have many areas they service and do business. Those locations can change from time to time as their service area shrinks or grows.

    The challenge for me as admin has been in getting this number of cities listed as there is no simply way of sorting the field choices as they aren’t ‘movable’. And for members, no one is going to like searching thru a random list for their choices. The only work-a-round I’ve found is to highlight a given checkbox directly above the next town I want to list and then select "new choice” to insert a new selection in the list to keep alpha order.

    2. The much larger issue for me is that I’m having overwhelming difficulty understanding the Search functions and how to use them properly. Am I even correct in thinking people can search for a service provider in their city/town by selecting that field in a search? If so, why do profiles not show up when I do a search with selected criteria?

     

    I understand changes are in the works for a revamp of the Member Directory. But in the meantime, until I understand how and what search functions are available and what the search terms actually mean, I have no hope of explaining it to members.

     

    HELP!

     

    Judy


    Judy
  •  09-18-2009, 11:38 AM 14361 in reply to 14360

    Re: moveable choices within a multi-choice field

    Regarding 2 - it definitely should work. Send details to support - how exactly do you search and which records do you expect to see but don't see.

    Also, send us your questions about current search  options and functions and we will try to help.


    Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot
  •  10-15-2009, 9:21 PM 14708 in reply to 14067

    • iacac is not online. Last active: 02-08-2012, 8:14 PM iacac
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    Change user interface for creating/editing Multiple choice and Drop down fields [3280]

    It would be really helpful to change the user interface to add choice options for multiple choice and the drop down questions.  Currently, you must press the plus sign for each option.  If you make a mistake in the order, or need to add a new option later, it's a very cumbersome and time consuming process.

     Many survey software websites offer simply a big text box.  You simply enter one option per line and the website converts each line entry to a choice.

     It is then easy to copy and paste a list of options into the text box.  Much more efficient.

     Thanks!

  •  10-16-2009, 8:40 AM 14710 in reply to 14067

    Re: Change user interface for creating/editing Multiple choice and Drop down fields

    We have considered this in the past and I recall there were some implementation difficulties. I do agree that current interface is far from ideal - so thanks for bringing this up. I will discuss this with our tech team.

    Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot
  •  11-18-2009, 5:00 PM 15240 in reply to 14067

    Re: Change user interface for creating/editing Multiple choice and Drop down fields

    We have reviewed a number of options and currently are leaning toward providing a simple multi-line textbox - it is easy to copy into etc.

    Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot
  •  12-24-2009, 11:34 AM 15806 in reply to 14014

    • Anonymous

    Re: Change user interface for creating/editing Multiple choice and Drop down fields [3280]

    We are going to be modifying the interface for multiple choice and drop down fields in our next release.

    When you create a list, you'll be able to add a list of options in a text box, and each line will be a separate option.

    When you edit your lists you'll be able to place the items in a custom sort order, or automatically order them alphabetically, or bulk-add multiple items to the list.

    In addition we will be adding the ability to choose from pre-defined lists. So, for example, you could indicate that this list should be states or provinces and the list will be automatically generated with all the states/provinces - you won't have to create the list by hand.

    This is currently scheduled for release with version 3.4, which is expected in March 2010.

     

     

  •  01-29-2010, 2:33 PM 16483 in reply to 15806

    • kimskim is online. Last active: 02-09-2012, 6:31 AM kimskim
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    Easy way to populate big dropdown boxes

    I'd really like an easy way to populate list boxes and dropdowns that have a lot of values such as State, Country, and other similar custom dropdowns (e.g., Industry, Areas of Expertise).  I find it really cumbersome and error-prone to add 56 US states and territories to the dropdown box, and I often have more than one of them (e.g., if I collect a home address and a work address).  Yet my clients usually don't want a simple text box b/c then some people will enter "NY", others "Ny", others "New York", etc. which makes searching hard (e.g., Find all members who live in the state of New York).

    Related to this, I'd like a way to easily reorder the items in a list.  If I have a long list that's not sorted alphabetically and want to insert a new item near the top, it's a real pain to add it then move it one-by-one-by-one all the way up the list to it's proper location.

  •  01-29-2010, 2:37 PM 16484 in reply to 14708

    • kimskim is online. Last active: 02-09-2012, 6:31 AM kimskim
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    Re: Change user interface for creating/editing Multiple choice and Drop down fields [3280]

    @iacac:  Agree 100%!!!
  •  01-29-2010, 2:52 PM 16486 in reply to 16484

    • Anonymous

    Re: Change user interface for creating/editing Multiple choice and Drop down fields [3280]

    Hi kimsmik and iacac

    That is exactly the type of system we are going to release in 3.4!

     

  •  01-29-2010, 4:45 PM 16491 in reply to 16486

    • Judy is not online. Last active: Jun 27, 2011, 8:28 PM Judy
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    Re: Change user interface for creating/editing Multiple choice and Drop down fields [3280]

    Wonderful News!

    When is the planned release date?

     Judy


    Judy
  •  01-29-2010, 9:34 PM 16493 in reply to 16491

    Re: Change user interface for creating/editing Multiple choice and Drop down fields [3280]

    Should be out by end of March.

    Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot
  •  03-20-2010, 9:25 PM 17479 in reply to 16493

    • jkunrein is not online. Last active: 06-16-2010, 1:39 PM jkunrein
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    Re: Change user interface for creating/editing Multiple choice and Drop down fields [3280]

    Just was going to request this... looking forward to it! Thank you!

    Judy Unrein
    KC-ASTD Director of Communications
  •  03-30-2010, 4:39 PM 17616 in reply to 14014

    Re: Change user interface for creating/editing Multiple choice and Drop down fields [3280]

    This has been released in version 3.4

    Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot
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