Lookup
A reference to one row in another table, with a search flyout that lists recent rows and opens the full row from the pill.
What it is
A lookup stores a reference to a single row of another table, such as the category of an accelerator. Select the box and a flyout lists recent rows. Type to search, and results narrow as you go. The chosen row appears as a pill. Select the name to open the row, or the X to remove it.
The flyout also offers + New, which opens a Quick create form, and an Advanced lookup link for bigger searches.
When to use it
Use a lookup for any many-to-one relationship: category, parent account, primary contact. It creates a 1:N relationship between the two tables.
For a column that points to accounts or contacts, use a Customer lookup. To show details of the chosen row on the form, add a Quick view form.
Licensing and configuration
No extra licence. A lookup is a column of data type Lookup, which creates the relationship. In the form designer you set the Default view, whether users can change view, and optionally Filter by related rows. The inline results use the first columns of the default view. The target table must be added to the app, or it will not appear.
Pitfalls
- Inline results only search the columns defined in the table's Quick Find view. If a row will not turn up, check that view.
- Related-row filtering narrows the list without telling the user why, which looks like missing data.
- Deleting or deactivating the target row leaves a reference that may show as empty. Plan the relationship behaviour.
- Many lookups on one form slow the load. Use quick view forms sparingly.
Try it in the demo
- Open the first accelerator and select the Lookup field in the Controls tab.
- Read the recent rows, type a few letters and watch the list narrow.
- Choose a category, then select its name to open the row.
- Use + New to create a category from the flyout.