automatically add new entries to a combo box

[Ryanne]

I am trying to set up a template to use for entering recipes. Is there a way
that when I fill out a form, something I type (i.e. an ingredient) will
automatically be added to the drop-down choices in a combo box in the
template?

 

[Hilary Stoupa]

Hello --

I can't think of a way to do this without code, unless your form is
submitting to a database, in which case you could use a secondary connection
to the same database to retrieve your values for your list.

For a code based option, this tutorial may be of help:
http://enterprise-solutions.swits.n...populate-drop-down-list-box-infopath-2007.htm

 

[Arsenio Locsin]

If you add your ingredients to a repeating field, such as in a repeating
table, set the combo box properties to get the items that will appear in the
combo box control from that repeating field.

The Sample-Meeting Agenda sample form template included with InfoPath has a
couple of list boxes that are populated from the values entered in the
Repeating table control. Take a look at the Presenter list box in the
Discussion Item section of the sample form template.

The Presenter list box is populated from items in the Attendees sections,
which is a repeating table control. Although the sample form template uses a
list box, the same principles apply to a combo box. In fact, you can change
the list box to a combo box by right-clicking the list box, click Change To,
and then click Combo box.

The Assigned To list box in the Action Items section uses the same strategy
to populate the list box.

For more information about populating a list box, see Insert a combo box
(http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/infopath/HA100819601033.aspx) on Office
Online. The second expando in step nine has instructions on how to use values
from another part of the form.

Please rate the article and leave a comment after you read the article. I'm
the writer for the InfoPath articles on Office Online and I am always looking
for ways to improve our articles.

Arsenio Locsin
Technical Writer
Office Online