Auto Populate

Auto Populate is a linking field type which enables you to pull data from an originating record onto a different record.

Taylor Roderick avatar
Written by Taylor Roderick
Updated over a week ago

When to Use Auto Populate

  • When you need to create a calculation on one form based on data from a different form and need to see it on a record, not just a report

  • When you want to physically have data on one form that is also on another form

Please use sparingly as this will cause data-redundancy in your database.

Please reach out to the Customer Support team if you have questions about if the auto populate field is a good choice for your scenario.

 

It is Not Recommended To Auto Populate Data from a Tier 1 Record to Its Associated Tier 2 Records

This is because you can use Quick View fields to see the data from the Tier 1 form. Additionally, Tier 1 records are directly related to their Tier 2 records.  Since auto populate fields already require a linking field, creating an additional relationship between the two forms can make reporting more difficult.

Adding Auto Populate to an Existing Form

Before proceeding we need to discuss linking. Linking creates a relationship between two otherwise unrelated forms. In our screenshot above we see two Tier 2 forms (Food and Order). They both related to Client Example but they do not relate to each other.

  • In this scenario we know we will want to populate data from the Food form onto the Order form

  • This tells us we need to create the linking field on the Order form.

  • This means that the Order form is the "Base" form and the "Base" link will be created here

  • "Target Form" is the form data will be pulled from

Note: While it may be possible to populate data onto a form that does not have the base link, we do not advise this setup, and cannot guarantee it will work properly.

Set up - Add an Auto Populate Field to the Base Form

To add an auto populate field to the target form, open the form for editing. In the field choices palette, expand the black arrow next to "Linking" and drag the auto populate field into your form:

  1. Click the gear for the newly added auto populate field

  2. Name the field

  3. Choose the linking field that we previously created.

  4. Then, choose the field that you want to pull data from

  5. Auto Update. This is optional and may not always need to be checked. For example, if you always want the auto populate field to show the newest information from the target record you should check this. If you want it to always stay what it originally was, leave it unchecked.

  6. Click Apply.

  7. Publish.

Field Properties Available in an Auto Populate Field

Standard Properties:

  • Auto populate fields can be made Required, Duplicate Check, Locked (read only), Quick View, Searchable, Hidden, and Clear on Copy.

 Editing an Auto Populate Field

Once an auto populate field has been configured and the form has been published, the link between forms cannot be changed. If you need to change the relationship, deactivate this auto populate field, add a new auto populate field, and configure it.

 Convert to Static Field

If auto populate is no longer desired and you would like to change this field to a static place to collect data, select "Convert to Static Field." The data that has been automatically populated will remain as a static selection, but new data will not be automatically populated from a different form. Note: Careful! Once it has been made static this cannot be undone!

If the auto populate field pulled data from a name field, the new static field will become a regular name field. If the auto populate field pulled information from an email field, the new static field will become a regular email field.

 Special Properties

Auto Update: Select this is you would like the auto populate field to update itself when information in the base form has been changed. Note: The data will refresh and update itself only when a record is opened and saved (if you do not save the record after you open it that newly auto updated value does not stick).

Auto Populate in Action

  1. Click the "Add" option that comes from the Linking field

  2. A pop up shows up that shows available records to auto populate from. Pick the one you need.

  • You'll notice in this screenshot we have a "Link Added..." message. This shows that the link was created successfully

  • You'll also see at this time the auto populate fields have been saved in

  • At this point, you may click the X in the "Link Added..." message as well as the search pop up

  • Make sure to click Save Record to save any changes

Hints/Tips:

  • If you don't want your users to be able to change the values that auto populate into the field, you can Lock the field. It will still auto populate/update

  • When you create the link on the Base form it creates a link on the Target form as well. We advise to Edit the Target form and make the target link Hidden (you can hide the entire section).

  • Wizard Link Warning: you cannot auto populate onto a Wizard Linked form as it contains a target link.

  • Important: at this time auto-populated date fields do not filter correctly if you filter on them as a "Searchable Field," please add the column directly to the report and filter on the column itself within the report.

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