Advanced lookup
A dialog for finding rows with search, a view filter, a table switcher and a list of what you selected so far.
What it is
A larger search dialog behind a lookup. Open it from the lookup's flyout with Advanced lookup. It shows a grid of rows with a search box, a Filter by view dropdown and, for lookups that point to several tables, a Look for table dropdown.
Two tabs show the Results and the Selected records. Choose a row (a radio button for one value, checkboxes for several), then select Done. If the row you need does not exist, + New record opens a quick create form and refreshes the grid.
When to use it
Use it when the short flyout is not enough: many similar names, a need to switch views, or a lookup that targets more than one table.
It also powers Add existing on subgrids and many-to-many relationships, where you often choose several rows at once.
Licensing and configuration
No extra licence. It appears on lookups in forms, quick create forms and dialogs. Which views people can pick depends on the lookup's settings in the form designer (Allow users to change view, Show all views or Selected views). Client API calls such as addCustomView, addCustomFilter and addPreSearch also apply to it.
Pitfalls
- When the user is offline the Advanced lookup button is replaced by a Change view button.
- Scripted custom filters apply here as well. A filter written for the flyout can hide rows in the dialog.
- The columns shown come from the selected view. If a view lacks the column people need, edit the view, not the form.
- Search text is kept when you switch views, which can look like an empty result.
Try it in the demo
- Open the first accelerator and open the Lookup field's flyout.
- Choose Advanced lookup, type a search term and change Filter by view.
- Pick a row and look at the Selected records tab.
- Select + New record to see the quick create form.