input() using bulk actions

[WillVerkaik]

As I understand the input() function is still in beta, however I am trying to have a user enter a value to populate across a number of records.   Using INPUT() to request from a user, then set this value in a column.   

When using this function against a single record it works fine.   

When performing this across a bulk selection of records, it will only work with the one record, while the rest remain unchanged.  

I am looking to hear if there are options for this? 

My action->

When I use bulk actions using 'Data: add a row to another table using values from this row',  works well adding multiple records. ( even though the command appears to be singular like the previous command)

[dbaum]

You could devise another way for users to select rows--e.g., create a [Selected] Yes/No type column--and then create an action using the type Execute an action on a set of rows.

[WillVerkaik]

Thank you for responding.  What I am looking for is to allow the user to input a specific 'Email address' that represents a unique reference ID.  This value is then used to propagate  across say 10 records ( selected by user ).  These 10 records are then added to another table with the values including the 'email address'.  This 'email address' is used to create a reference to other tables.   

Essentially a user selects from a list of templated records and these records are then duplicated in batch into a new table with a corresponding id 'Email Address'.

The alternative is to have a user enter the 'email address' into each record, which of course is time consuming for a user. 

[dbaum · Accepted solution]

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@WillVerkaik wrote:

What I am looking for is to allow the user to input a specific 'Email address'

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As you identified, the INPUT function can be used for that.

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@WillVerkaik wrote:

say 10 records ( selected by user )

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As you identified, AppSheet's bulk select functionality is one way to do this. However, given your observation that the INPUT function, which can be finicky and, regardless, remains a beta feature, doesn't work with bulk select, you may need to create an alternative method for users to select rows.

[tpha024]

Hi Dbaum.
Could you please help to advise me an alternative method ? Most of my actions are to set values for multiple rows.
- My data is Enum/Ref, thus contains a list of more than 100 items for users to choose from. Currently Input() doesn't also work on Date. User want to select same date for multiple rows.
Thanks a lot

[dbaum]

In basic terms, you need a way for the user to designate various rows, a way for the user to provide a value, and then a way to apply that value to the designated rows.

There are multiple ways to accomplish each of those steps. Following is the method I referenced. Did you try that?

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@dbaum wrote:

create a [Selected] Yes/No type column--and then create an action using the type Execute an action on a set of rows

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[DG572-14]

Hi team, I'm facing the same issue. My team has been using this app for more than 3 months now and it was working just fine, just today we started experiencing this issue where the "Bulk action" using "INPUT" free text is only accepting a value for the first row that is selected.

Was there an update which resulted into this? Can we file a bug for this behavior?

Thanks

[dbaum]

It looks like your Google colleague @lizlynch has reported the issue internally.