SPLIT function with EnumList doesn't work.

[maxus68]

Hello everyone,
I can't use the SPLIT function with a column of type EnumList.
I take data from an Excel table in string format (a,b,c), in the AppSheet data I created a virtual column of type EnumList and in the app formula, I inserted the following function: SPLIT([primo],",").
[Primo] is the column with data in string format (a,b,c).
When I open the Form view, I don't see the virtual column, even though it is correctly added to the list of columns.

Thank you for the help

[Gustavo_Eduardo]

The issue you’re facing is likely due to a mismatch between the data type of your column in AppSheet and how you’re trying to manipulate it with SPLIT(). 

1. Verify the Column Type in AppSheet

• If primo in Excel is a text string separated by commas (a,b,c), it should be of type Text in AppSheet, not EnumList.

• Then, create a virtual column of type EnumList with the following formula:

SPLIT([primo], ",")

• This will convert the text into a list of values.

2. Check Visibility in the Form

• If the virtual column doesn’t appear in the form, it could be because:

• Virtual columns are not editable in forms.

• There is a condition in the Show_If property preventing it from displaying.

• The form view is not configured to include it.

3. Alternative Solution: Use a Physical Column

• If you need the column to be editable in the form, instead of using a virtual column, create a real column of type EnumList in the table and use the formula in the Initial Value field:

SPLIT([primo], ",")

• This will ensure the conversion happens when the record is created.

Try these adjustments and let me know if you still have issues!

[maxus68]

Thank you
I tried the alternative solution and indeed now I see the dropdown list, but it’s empty. The [Primo] column is of type text.

[Gustavo_Eduardo]

Did you enter anything in the "Valid If" or "Suggested Values" fields?

Try adding suggested values ​​to SPLIT([primo], ",")

[maxus68]

I tried entering SPLIT([primo], ",") both in 'Valid If' and 'Suggested Values', but the dropdown list remains empty, only showing the add or search field

[Gustavo_Eduardo]

Does the list you mention belong to a table you're referencing? If so, you could select that enum list as a ref in the table you're referencing.

[scott192]

I disagree.

If the column coming from the excel sheet contains a comma separated list of values then in Appsheet, set that column to be an ENUMLIST of type TEXT.

You will not be able to use SPLIT directly on that column because SPLIT requires a TEXT input and the ENUMLIST is a list, however, you can CONCATENATE() the ENUMLIST column to return a single text value that will be like this - "a , b , c".  Then you can use the SPLIT function like so (SPLIT(CONCATENATE([ENUMLISTCOLUMN]),",")

[maxus68]

I don't understand this: set that column to be an ENUMLIST of type TEXT.
I did it this way, is it correct?

The column you see is the one that gets data from the Excel sheet.

This is the column I use to see the dropdown list, and I set it up like this.

[scott192 · Accepted solution]

Can I ask why you want to add a VC column with the split formula onto your form?  The normal column that is set to be an ENUMLIST of TEXT will work perfectly fine to display buttons, dropdowns or stacks (I noticed you left it set to Auto in your screenshot).  I can also see that you did not set the Item Separator in your screenshot.  You should examine your excel column and check whether the item separator is a standard comma or if it is a space comma space.

[maxus68]

Thanks, Scott! I solved it as you suggested, without using the VC and by inserting the comma as a separator.
And thanks also to Gustavo_Eduardo for his useful advice.
Both of you are much more competent than artificial intelligence!

[Gustavo_Eduardo]

I think artificial intelligence is still so full of errors… it's better to trust our intuition.