Is it possible to import list to Dropdown list

Hi,

One feature I'm finding that I'm really needing is a way to have a master list and use it across multiple forms. If that list was to have a entry added to it, it should reflect across all the forms. For example this could be a list of personal and could be used with a drop down list.

Is anything like this possible with Jotforms? I've seen formstack do it, but I'd rather stick to Jotforms if I can.

I'm aware there is the field manager tool but that's not quite what I'm after.

Thanks

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Unfortunately, there is no such tool available yet.

What you can do instead is just manually copy/paste values to the Dropdown list option.

Check a similar thread here https://www.jotform.com/answers/212975-Custom-special-values-for-drop-down-menu

Is the pre-population of the dropdown list the automation process you were looking for?

Please inform us if there is more we can assist you with.

Thanks.

Thanks for the prompt reply, is this a tool that's being planned? 

The copying and pasting option does work but is slow especially when I have to do it often when lists change. 

Hi,

I have submitted a feature request ticket about this.

Let us wait for feedback from our higher support team if approved.

We will notify you you here for any updates/news on the status.

Thanks.

Hello-

Linking fields across forms isn't currently planned. It's an interesting concept but not one that's been requested very often, if at all. Potentially this can be accomplished using our API though:

http://api.jotform.com/docs/#post-form-id-question-id

I haven't tested that specific API call with dropdown list, but the intent of the API call is to update question properties. It would take some degree of programming skill to set up a solution that would allow you to readily update all your questions at once.

Thanks

Hello-

I just tested this. It's very easy actually, if you're comfortable making API calls. As noted, here's the API call that's needed.

http://api.jotform.com/docs/#post-form-id-question-id

Here's the curl command that can be run from the command line.
curl -X POST -d "question[options]=Option 4|Option 5|Option 6" "https://api.jotform.com/form/<form ID/question/<question id>?apiKey=<api key>"

Every time you want to update the drop down list replace Options 4, 5, 6, with the new list. Then make a list of all the Form ID and Question ID pairs that need to be updated. Run the above command against each of them. A novice programmer could set up a script to do so.

I apologize if this solution is more technical than what you're looking for, but it's currently the only way to do what you're requesting. This feature isn't highly requested so likely using the API will be the only way for the foreseeable future.

Let us know if you have other questions. Thanks!

Hi Thanks for your help!

I thought I replied this already but it seems it may have not gone through.

It is a little more technical that I would of hoped. I have a basic understanding of some programming, could you suggest any examples which I could potentially work with to suit my needs?

Thanks

Andrew

Hello-

I'll give a longer explanation, but it's possible this may be a more technical solution than is feasible. Here it is:

- create/get an API key: http://www.jotform.com/help/253-How-to-Create-Jotform-API-Key

- create a list of all the FormIDs and then the associated question ID for the options list you'd like updated. Here's how to find those:

-- to find Form ID: http://www.jotform.com/answers/150850-Where-do-you-find-the-form-ID-

-- to find Question/Field ID: http://www.jotform.com/help/146-How-to-find-Field-IDs-Names. The Question ID is just the number. So in the above example if the ID is #input_4, then the question ID you want is just "4"

---This is where it gets technical---

- You need a command line tool "curl" to run this. If you're on Mac or Linux it's already there. If you're on windows, you can use this: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/9507353/steps-to-setup-curl-in-windows. Instructions on accessing the command line on Windows: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/open-a-command-prompt-window

- Once curl is installed, you then need to construct a series of commands to run, each of which will update each form. Fill in the new Options, separated by pipes (|), the api key, and the Form ID and Question ID.

curl -X POST -d "question[options]=New Options 1|New Options 2|New Option 3" "https://api.jotform.com/form/<form ID/question/<question id>?apiKey=<api key>"

If you can get to the point where curl is installed and you know how to run it on the command line then this could be a viable solution. Otherwise the option is to use the manual interface.

Practice with a test form before using your live form. Let us know if you have questions. Thanks.

Hi,

Thanks for your help! I successfully used the curl via the command line to do this!

My aim was eventually to have others easily update fields which I think I might trying to explore with php, I'll try to teach myself anyway but what you've provided above gives some great insight as to how the api's work so thankyou!

Excellent! Please let us know if you need anything else. Thanks.