Handy Library Manager
 for Windows


Help, how to topics > Options > How to define dropdown lists, how to predefine lists


Drop-down lists, list boxes, selection lists.

You can either type text in the edit box or select an item from the list. The lists can be edited in Options/Dropdown Lists function. List boxes speed up data entry procedures. Instead of entering the whole text you can select the item.

There are three types:

Locked - The list has to be predefined. Library administrator can define the list in the Dropdown Lists window or edit the text file that represents the list. Locked data entry allows to select the value from the predefined list. New values cannot be added by data entry personnel.

Editable - The "general" list has to be predefined. Library administrator can define the list in the Dropdown Lists window or edit the text file that represents the list. When adding or editing data: predefined values and new values could be entered by the data entry personnel. New items are not added to the predefined list.

Auto-Add (default setting) - The list does not have to be predefined. But library administrator can predefine the list in the Dropdown Lists window or edit the text file that represents the list. Data entry personnel are allowed to choose items from the list or enter new ones. New items are automatically saved for the future use.


Library, Item Edit window displays several dropdown lists: TYPE, PUBLISHER, PLACE, SERIES, CATEGORY, LEVEL, FORMAT.


Click Options/Maintenance to access Dropdown Lists function.


Several data fields already have a dropdown list data entry control (TYPE, PUBLISHER, PLACE, SERIES, and more).

Check mark in the front of the text field defines dropdown lists.


On you computer create a new folder. In this folder store your "dropdown list" text file. Use Windows Notepad to create/edit those files. Enter list values, one per line.


For example this text file represents short list of Dewey subject categories.


How to load list items from the text file?

Select data field: for example CATEGORY (1) (dropdown list data field).

Select TYPE (2).

Click Load From File (3). Select your list text file.

New items are displayed in the Dropdown List Items (4) box.

Click Save Items (5).

Note: you can also type in any item directly in the box (one per line). Click Save Items to save new entries.



Question:
When adding borrowers and I go to the dropdown to select a TYPE of borrower is there a place to edit the dropdown categories to fit my needs better? Like where I could categories them into grades (first, second ...) instead of Adult, Child, Junior, Senior?

To access dropdown lists function open the Options window, click the Maintenance tab, and click the Dropdown Lists button.


Question:
How to edit autofill data? We have a number of items that were saved incorrectly in the autofill and keep coming up. How do we access this data to delete the incorrect options?

Use the search/replace feature to modify all "incorrectly entered" values, change list values in the Options window, or directly in the corresponding text files.



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