advice on how to build multiple select for multiple categories

[pbgiese]

Hey Appsheet Community,

I’m new to Appsheet and could use some advice on how to structure/build a feature I am looking to implement. I’m building a contact database and one of the data sets I am looking to include is a list of skills across a few different categories. I’d like to make it so when editing/adding a person it would provide multiple select lists of skills under category headings. Something like:

Welding
[ ] MIG [ ] TIG [ ] Arc

Ceramics
[ ] Handbuilding [ ] Wheel-throwing [ ] Mold casting

Woodworking
[ ] Cabinetry [ ] Carving [ ] Woodturning

We will also need the ability to add new skills and ideally new categories (though I would be ok limiting categories to Admin only).

I currently have our full skill list in a google sheet with each category as a column though not sure that format is usable for this use case.

These skills will be a key part of the data when assembling teams for a project.

Thanks,

–Paul

[Arni_Kli]

@pbgiese ,

The easiest way is to add 3 columns (Welding, Ceramics, Woodworking) of EnumList type, text base.
In each category specify the full list of relevant skills.
Make this columns editable in detail view.

You can also reserve 2-3 more columns for future categories.

Thats all.

[Arni_Kli]

A more advanced solution is to create a table "Categories" and a table "Skills", link them via a REF link (Skills must consist column ID_Category with REF link to  Skills table).

In the main table add the EnumList column "Skills" (base type REF and referenced table Skills) and specify the formula for selecting list of skills in Auto compute / Suggested values section.

For example (need to adapt):

SELECT(
   Skills[Unique_ID], 
   AND(
      ISNOTBLANK([Unique_ID]),
      [Status]<>"off"
   )
)

You can work on the list with sorting and bring it to an acceptable appearance. 

This method will allow you not to make changes to the table structure.

Example of dynamic list setting over EnumList type (another data):

[pbgiese]

@Arni_Kli with the second method, would I be able include or display the category names in the UI?  This method seems most flexible for further expansion.

thx,

--Paul

[Arni_Kli]

@pbgiese , you would be able include or display the category names because category names will a part of table of skills. What about form view that need to thinking and testing. May be try a sequence of forms linked by save button action where each form could based on category slice, may be try another way.