using a virtual column (with yes/no) for users if they want to show other real columns and filled in

[Ruxandra]

Hello!

I want to use some virtual columns, having available yes/no option, for users, if they want to show other real columns and filled in or if they don't. I don't want to create more physical column, my table already hase more than 170 columns.

I tried many options, but the formula is mandatory, if i use "", the VC is not displayed, if I use Yes/no type, and a formula, users can not choose between "yes" or "not".

Is there any other options to do this without physical columns?

Thank you!

Regards!

Ruxandra

[TeeSee1]

How about using usersettings?

[Ruxandra]

Hello!

Could you please, give me more details? I didn't use usersettings till now, I have studied this option, but I don't understand how I should use a column from Usersettings; I tried write a formula in my VC usersettings (my option declared in usersettings), but the VC is still not visible. So, I think, I didn't work properly.

Thank you for your help!

Regards!

Ruxandra

[TeeSee1]

You don't use a VC. You just set up a yes no user settings item and use it in the show if expression of target columns.

[Ruxandra]

Hello!

It is not clear for me which expression I have to use in "show_if"; using Usersettings("myoptioncreated") gives nothing, the main column is not visible.

Could you, please, explain the expression?

Many thanks!

Regards!

Ruxandra

[TeeSee1]

The expression is simply USERSETTINGS("myoptioncreated") if this is of Yes/No type.

When you set this item TRUE then whatever column you set this to their show-if attribute should be displayed and set to FALSE, should be hidden.

[Ruxandra]

Hello!

I understand now how it works, but I need to have this option in the Form View; I saw there is another view for user settings and, if I click on this view, I see my option column and if I click yes, my target column is shown. The idea is to have the possibility to show or not show certain columns dynamically, till 10 columns; I mean, user need to add some information, he opens first column, if he has more information, to  open second column, etc till 10 columns, without passing from another view; the form he filled in has already 100 columns (he makes some inspections).

Thank you!

Regards!

Ruxandra

[TeeSee1]

In the second columns show if parameter set the following...

Isnotblank([first column])

You can repeat the same idea with successive columns

[Ruxandra]

Hello!

Yes, I have already done that for them, but users are not satisfied with this solution, they think it is difficult to follow, because if column1 is not blank, I open another 5 columns (we have "packages" of information, issue 1, deadline1, responsible 1, priority 1, etc), if they need to fill in second issue, they have to also fill in deadline 2, responsible 2, priority 2, etc. I hoped to find a way to hide all and only if they click "yes, I need another issue field", these "packages" should be shown, eventually in different section of my view-form.

Thank you!

Regards!

[TeeSee1]

What l would do in this case is to separate inspections and issues into two tables (patent child)  so the user creates issue records only as required.

The current architecture leaves a lot of empty cells and not a very good one in general.

[Ruxandra]

Yes, you are right, but appsheet can't have a View on multiple tables in order to generate a .pdf file with data from many tables ( I mean here: employees, repairs works, location, checklist, issues, solved issues, departement, validation flows and signature/approvals, etc), also using an automation ; I made some test, on the pdf file the structures are shown, but without data. I asked the appsheet support about it and, they said, for the moment, there is no other solution. So, I had to add all columns in the same table; and, in order to, however, separate data, I have a function in posgresql which copy issues in another table, because this issues have to be followed, solved, etc; I had no other idea.

Regards!

Ruxandra 

[TeeSee1]

You can most certainly create pdf files combining data from multiple tables. It's done all the time.

https://support.google.com/appsheet/answer/11541779?sjid=11948198121609363670-AP

You can have multiple start end pairs. You can also create embedded start end expressions. The number of tables that you can include in one PDF is virtually unlimited.

[Ruxandra]

Hello!

I used "is part of" , and, at this time, I used the appsheet DB, I have issues with the recording in child table, it seems it is a bug, appsheet support was investigating and there was another person who told me here, on this forum, on my topic , he had the same problem.

On my pdf file , I had "start"... "end", but inside there was no data shown from the child-table; maybe I did something wrong and that's why, however, I used the template generated by appsheet.

I will study and test again. I don't know if having the primary key generated in posgresql could impact all these functionalities. 

Thank you!

Regards!

[TeeSee1]

If you supply more specific requirements, then you'd have a better chance of getting more to-the-point advice/guidance.

[Ruxandra]

Hello!

Yes, you are right! Thank you for your kindness! 

I will come back with more information as soon as I clarify certain points to myself.

Regards!

Ruxandra