Drop Down List Import from Other Source

[Rookie_User]

I have a list of names in Excel and I want to copy those to the drop down
listing. My hope is to have this form in an email so I don't want to create
permanent lookups or connects to the sharepoint server, I just want to import
the list or copy/paste it into the drop down list. Is there a way todo this?

 

[S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton]

If the list is in only 1 column in Excel, you could save the worksheet as an
XML file (from within Excel), and then in InfoPath create a data connection
to that XML file and check to option to include the data in the form. Then
its just a matter of binding a drop-down list box to the data connection for
the XML file.

 

[Rookie_User]

So far so good. I had to download the XML toolbar so creating the XML file
in Excel took a while. I created the data connection and now trying to
"bind" as you say - I am new to InfoPath so I expect this to be a slow
experience.

 

[Rookie_User]

I saw where you can change the binding of the drop down list, changed it to
the TM_Name, then you have to select part of the XML scheme - I clicked on
name - it says it will only take the first row or something. Either way when
I preview the form I don't get anything in the drop down list. Any idea's?

 

[Rookie_User]

Well it was all great learning time, but after I change the binding to look
at the imported XML data - there is some error "you have chosen to bind a
non-repeating control to a repeating field". SO I thought - change the
control but I don't know what to change it to -- my column of data has 20+
rows in it, I don't think there are duplicates nor do I think it matters.
Any additional help would be appreciated.

 

[S.Y.M. Wong-A-Ton]

The following articles might help you:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/infopath/HA101030201033.asp
http://www.bizsupportonline.net/infopath2007/infopath-basics-list-control-basics-infopath.htm

You need to select a repeating group for the "Entries" field on the
Properties dialog box of the drop-down list box (Tip: When selecting a node
on the "Select a Field or Group" dialog box, expand all of the nodes to be
able to find the one you're looking for). In my case, I had a repeating node
called "Row" in my XML. Then you need to select the node that contains the
values you want to display for the "Value" and "Display name" fields on the
Properties dialog box of the drop-down list box. In my case, I had a node
called "Cell" under the "Row" repeating node. That's all you should have to
do to display the values in the first column of your (former) Excel sheet.

Hope this helps.