Picklists allow users to select the value for an object field from a range of predefined options. Sometimes, the list is a fixed set of options, such as language, but sometimes the list should change based on the selected value for another field, for example, the list of countries available after selecting “North America” as the region. With dependent picklists, you can create picklist dependencies within objects to show a subset of the available values depending on the value of another picklist field.
Note: You can only create picklist dependencies on custom picklists.
Configuring Dependent Picklists
You can initially configure dependent picklists like any other picklist by including the complete set of available values. Later, you can set up picklist dependencies on the Create Dependencies page for an object picklist field.
Setting Up Picklist Dependencies
To set up picklist dependencies:
- From Admin > Configuration > Objects, click into an object.
- Open the Fields tab.
- Open a custom picklist field and click the Create Dependencies button.
- From the Controlling Field picklist, select a picklist or boolean (yes/no) field that will control the values in the current picklist field.
- In the Picklist Dependency Matrix section, use the checkboxes to specify the dependent picklist values that will be available for each value in the controlling field.
- Click Save.
Editing Picklist Dependencies
To edit existing picklist dependencies:
- From Admin > Configuration > Objects, click into an object.
- Open the Fields tab.
- Open a custom picklist field that has dependencies configured and click the View Dependencies button.
- Click Edit and make any necessary changes in the Picklist Dependency Matrix section.
- Click Save.
Deleting Picklist Dependencies
To delete an existing picklist dependency, click the View Dependencies button from a custom picklist field that has dependencies configured. On the Dependencies page, click the Delete button.
About Controlling Fields
Controlling fields allow you to set the value of a field based on the options selected in another field. You can configure controlling fields in the following ways:
- As a single or multi-value picklist
- As a controlling picklist to control multiple controlled or dependent picklists
- As a controlling boolean field
Multi-Value Picklists as Controlling Fields
When your Vault uses a multi-value picklist as a controlling field and a user selects multiple values, Vault displays a union of all values available for the selected controlling options. In the example below, the Language picklist field controls the Locale picklist field. When the user selects Spanish and French in the controlling Language field, the dependent Locale field shows all available values for those specified options.
Use Case: Two Picklists Between Language & Locale
When implemented, dependent picklists are a powerful configuration option that can simplify field entry for users. For example, VeePharm requires values for the Locale and Language fields when adding new users to their Vault. In most cases, Vault may include a fixed set of language options from which to select. However, VeePharm wants to ensure that language options change based on the selected locale.
To configure this, the Admin creates a picklist dependency with Language as the controlling field on the Locale picklist field. The Admin then selects the language options from Controlling Field Values so when the user selects a value in the Language field, Vault only displays the relevant values in the Locale field.
