Setting a required field based on a dropdown selection

[christopherj64229980]

So I've seen a few similar topics but nothing I've been able to try/modify that fit what I need so hoping someone can help me fix this:

• I have a dropdown menu with 7 options
• 2 of the 7 options need to make a separate text field REQUIRED
• If any of the other 5 options are selected the separate field text remains OPTIONAL
• To try to simplify this I set the Export Values of the 2 required items to REQ and the remainder to X

Here's what I have so far:

var spod = this.getField("Dept");

if (event.value=="Req") {

spod.required = true;

}

else if (event.value=="X") {

spod.required = false;

}

but each time I select either of the req options the dept field doesnt change. What am I doing wrong?

[Nesa Nurani]

Since you set export value you need to use script as calculation not validation.

[christopherj64229980]

Thanks, scripts are pretty foreign to me, how would I go about that?

[Nesa Nurani]

Go to field properties, select 'Calculate' tab and put script under 'custom calculation script'. 

[christopherj64229980]

Thanks, it't still not working yet though so I've attached some screenshots to see if I'm missing something (its proprietary for a client so pardon the blackouts)

[Nesa Nurani]

Do you get any errors in console?

I assume you can't share an actual file, so try to recreate those fields in another form without confidential info and see if it will work, if it doesn't try sharing that file with us.

[christopherj64229980]

Hi I don't get any errors but I made a stripped down version and attached it here. I tried to take out all fo the specifics but retain the general function. There are a 2 selections from the GENERAL field that are supposed to make the TARGET field a required field if selected (I gave them a value of REQ while everytrhing esle is a value of X)

[Nesa Nurani]

There is no field "TARGET" that field is named "SpoDoM" so replace it in script and it will work.

[Nesa Nurani]

Also that field is set to readonly, and since you set it to required you need to remove readonly, so instead use this script:

var target = this.getField("SpoDoM");
target.required = event.value == "Req" ? true : false;
target.readonly = event.value == "Req" ? false : true;

[christopherj64229980]

sorry to clarify the field is titled SpoDoM but I changed it to target in my stripped out version. I didn't realie I missed that one so can you clarify where that was? Specifically where I should put that second code. I can add a revised version if that helps

[Nesa Nurani · Accepted solution]

Use script in Dropdown field under 'Validate' tab → 'Run custom validation script'.

If the field name is "TARGET" then just replace "SpoDoM" with "TARGET":

var target = this.getField("TARGET");
target.required = event.value == "Req" ? true : false;
target.readonly = event.value == "Req" ? false : true;

If you still have trouble, please share your file.

[christopherj64229980]

Thanks, so does this look correct? I left the terms as they were intended for clarity (SpoDoM, not target). I took out the second script so I just have the one that you provided. Its not doing anything immediatly when I make a selection but maybe I'm not doing it right. Also I noticed that in both instances you had the Req but go from true : false to false : true. Should one of those be X or is there a reason they're the same? SInce I dont know js I'm trying to understand a bit better

[Nesa Nurani]

Since you have export values set, move the script to 'Calculate' tab as 'Custom calculation script' and it will work.

They are not the same, one line is to set field to required and other is for readonly.

[christopherj64229980]

You're a life saver - that worked! Thanks. So to better understand, I did put Req for the values I wanted to make teh SpoDoM active for but based on the script you gave me that turns off and on the field the 'X' wasnt needed? It's pretty much saying if its true that your value is Req then do this, but if your value isnt Req then do that. Is that about right?

[Nesa Nurani]

Yes, if value is "Req" it will do 1st condition and if anything else it will do 2nd condition.

We can do it like that because you only had two export values "Req" and "X", if you had more values then we would have to use 'else if'.