Is it possible to have a drop-down field that automatically removes selected options from previous submission?

  • creliaboris
    Asked on December 14, 2017 at 9:39 PM

    I once used a forms program that had a very useful feature...you could have a dropdown where once a value was selected and submitted, it was no longer available.  It was great for putting everyone in a group into a field, and having them check themselves off, in effect, to fill the thing out (was a strong motivator that you did NOT want your colleagues to see you were holding up the results by still being listed).


    Is there anything like that, native or 3rd party?  Another way to accomplish this would be if a field could get its values from an external spot, in which case you could get the full list in a google sheet, have the submissions posted to same sheet, and then have a 3rd spot there where you do a 'remaining names' formula for listing the remaining names.  The form could then reference that area for its values for the kind of field I'm describing.  Obviously easier if you have something that already does this.

  • Mike_G JotForm Support
    Replied on December 14, 2017 at 10:34 PM

    I would like to apologize. I'm afraid we do not have such feature that would meet the requirement you described.

    Although we have a widget that can list the available option and have the previously selected option become disabled only on the next form load (not totally removed from the list), it is not a drop-down but it works like a radio button field (where only one field can be selected per submission).

    We also have a way to import submission data automatically to a Google Spreadsheet using integration but we do not have a way to get the list of available option in the drop-down from the same Google Spreadsheet.

    I hope the information above clarifies your concern. If, in any case, I have misunderstood your concern, please feel free to let us know and provide us more details.

  • creliaboris
    Replied on December 14, 2017 at 11:16 PM

    well that's not bad...what is the widget that disables the radio option?  That may work as an interim workaround (though unfortunately requires lots of screen real estate, since listing lots of names is problematic)?  I'll try it.

    As for the spreadsheet, is there a way to view, from within a form, a live version of an external data source like zoho sheets or google sheets?  I don't need the options on the field to be limited, if I can effectively show the "good ones" that have already submitted, and by definition if you're not on that list, you are in the doghouse.  Please advise. 


    Happy to explore either/both options above.

  • creliaboris
    Replied on December 14, 2017 at 11:19 PM

    Also, so you know, the scheduling widgets (like "appointment slots") can be manipulated to do something similar to the disabling.  Basically you enter all the options in, with quantity 1, and change the wording that is associated with 'live' and 'not available', and you can come close.  Still does take up a bunch of real estate, as you can't put the options into columns (which would at least spread it out horizontally), but it's something.

  • BJoanna
    Replied on December 15, 2017 at 2:32 AM

    Beside Appointment slot widget, you can also use widgets like:

    Inventory 

    Ticket Purchases

    Gift Registry

    If you have to add a lot of options, I would suggest you to split your options into multiple widgets and to position the widgets in the same row. Something like this: https://form.jotform.com/73481702831960 

    How to Position Fields in JotForm

    It is also possible to embed external sheet, like Google Spreadsheet snide of the form. This can be done with the Iframe Embed widget

    Hope this will help. Let us know if you need further assistance. 

  • creliaboris
    Replied on December 15, 2017 at 11:57 AM

    Great ideas. Thx.  Inventory a little complicated, because I'd have to put about 45 widgets on the form (one for each name), and I don't see the advantage of that approach, versus the appointment/ticket purchase/gift type widgets, which at least group all your options into one widget, and then let you indicate the same inventory-like limitations on how many there are available.


    That said, I think the most robust idea so far is the iframe one.  Granted, I think if someone wants to use it for interactive data-dynamic purposes, they have to know how to force Excel/google/etc to do some math and manipulation, but since I happen to know how to do that well, seems like it'll be a valuable tool.  Additionally, with Google Data Studio and other presentation-layer tools out there, seems like iframe offers a nice way to go (basically take the submissions out to google, have the numbers manipulated/worked however one desires, and then use data studio type product to provide the iframe-able output to put back to the form.  

    Thx again for the efforts, and the suggestions.  Glad I asked.

  • BJoanna
    Replied on December 15, 2017 at 1:04 PM

    Your're welcome.

    Feel free to contact us if you have any other questions or issues.