Feature Request: Ability to populate dropdown fields with values from spreadsheet

  • lafhab2
    Asked on May 13, 2017 at 8:36 AM
    Jotform, this has been asked for on many occasions by many users.  We are a training provider and have certain fields that would be common across multiple forms.  For a non-techie this seems really easy to implement, the ability to create common lists that can be used across forms.  Please implement this!
  • Welvin Support Team Lead
    Replied on May 13, 2017 at 10:22 AM

    We understand the usefulness of the said feature. But unfortunately, you previous request thread is still pending. We don't have an update about it yet. It's not on the priority list and only our backend team can decide whether to add the feature or not. Still, we'll make sure to let you know as soon as we have it on the form builder. 

  • SafetyJNJMech
    Replied on July 9, 2017 at 9:56 PM

    I am really looking forward to this feature as well.

    I currently am required to update a number of forms manually with the same data. Would be so much easier to update on data table rather than update multiple forms. 

  • WilliamR
    Replied on July 9, 2017 at 11:43 PM

    I couldn't agree more with that. Hopefully we will be able to support this feature in the future. In the meantime, if you have any other concerns, feel free to contact us anytime.

  • Chriistian Jotform Support
    Replied on July 9, 2017 at 11:50 PM

    In addition to what my colleague has already mentioned, alternatively, you can use the Spreadsheet to Form widget on your form. Using this widget, it will allow the values from your spreadsheet to prepopulate the fields on your form. But it will need the spreadsheet to be uploaded first to your form. Please see our guide here on how to use the widget: How to Use the Spreadsheet to Form Widget.

    Hope this helps.
    Let us know if you need further assistance.
    Regards.

  • lafhab2
    Replied on October 12, 2017 at 10:15 AM

    Yet again, frustrated at having to edit multiple (30+) forms with the same data for the same field.    There absolutely should be an easier way, ie a common source list or data table which can be edited anytime and live on any form which calls it up.

  • Chriistian Jotform Support
    Replied on October 12, 2017 at 11:43 AM

    We understand your frustration. However, this feature is still not available in JotForm. The only way to update the values of the dropdown field is by manually inserting the values. We will let you know any updates to this feature. As said by my colleague, this will still be decided by our development team if they will implement this feature or not. Rest assured that your sentiments are being considered by our development team.

  • SafetyJNJMech
    Replied on October 12, 2017 at 5:14 PM

    Please aim to get this feature bumped up the priority list - I am looking to change service providers simply because this task is too time consuming. 

  • Mike
    Replied on October 12, 2017 at 8:08 PM

    We appreciate your input. We have already escalated multiple tickets to our developers regarding this matter, so hopefully, we will see it implemented sooner than later.

  • lafhab2
    Replied on October 11, 2018 at 3:41 PM

    Hi, it's now a year on and I can't see there has been any movement on this. As we take on new staff I now have the best part of 200 forms to edit individually, because it appears that you are STILL not providing the option to create a field from a common source which can by dynamically updated and reflected on forms. I do not ask that it is from an external source, just that on Jotform we can have dynamic lists which can then be used within forms, so you just have to update your list.  I cannot tell you how much this is needed, and how much work I have to do because it is not offered. It simply cannot be difficult to implement, and clearly it is needed by many.  This is a major issue, and it is one that in the future will have me looking for alternative solutions because I should not have to go through this unnecessary rigmarole.

  • Nik_C
    Replied on October 11, 2018 at 4:35 PM

    We're sorry for the inconvenience.

    But, this kind of requests and its implementation depend on how many same requests we have from the users.

    I will follow up with the developer assigned for a possible insight on the progress.

    Thank you for your understanding.

  • lafhab2
    Replied on October 12, 2018 at 8:21 AM

    Searching through your forum I have seen many such requests, although the phrasing and the exact request may vary, some want the source to be an external google sheets, although I know it's perhaps not realistic.  The basis of this is simple: If you have a question with drop-down answers, you can update as required but if you have the same questions across multiple forms (in my case around 200) this is a LOT of tedious repetitive editing (which from the user's perspective seems to be easily avoidable), so I am wanting the facility to have within my account, 'lists' which can be edited at any time but dynamically 'live' within forms.  This will take some time to update (again), and I am sincerely hoping that this may be the last time.  As stated by 'SafetyJNJMech' above things like this can be the kind of issue that gets a user looking elsewhere for alternatives. Please do pass this on the developers, it IS in demand and it CANNOT be difficult to implement.

  • lafhab2
    Replied on October 12, 2018 at 9:24 AM

    One other (related) think that makes it all the more laborious, is that when you are viewing 'my forms' you can't right-click and open a form to edit in a new tab, so when you have finished editing you have to return to the list, and in my case click on the category to narrow it down, and scroll down.  Believe me it makes mass-editing even worse.  If there was any way of being able to right-click > (edit in) new tab it wouldn't be as bad
    .
  • Richie JotForm Support
    Replied on October 12, 2018 at 11:00 AM

    Thank you for the added information. We have already escalated your request to our developers regarding this matter, so hopefully, we will see it implemented sooner than later.

    Regarding your other request, I have move it to a new thread so that we can forward it to our developers.

    Kindly follow this link https://www.jotform.com/answers/1608437

    Thank you.