Hierarchical Value Lists - (Dependent Value Lists)

Knowing how to structure hierarchy, within data, should be one of your core pieces of know-how regarding data structure. Once you understand it, you can always leverage the knowledge for a variety of tasks. This structure applies to checking for sequential numerical entries (knowing when sequence is broken), generating a visual tree of levels and sub levels or storing a list of hierarchical value lists - most efficiently.

Building on a file presented in 2004, it goes to show that this basic structure for how data is stored does not change, nor is it likely to ever change. It's simply how you store data for hierarchy based information.

If, in your database, you need to present value list selections that hinge on each other then this is the video and technique file that you need!

AttachmentSize
BetterValues2.zip466.17 KB

Comments

Hi Matt,

I've followed this article with interest, how would you be able to apply a custom sort order to the values?

Regards,

Damon.

Why don't drop-down lists work the same way the pop-up menu does with regards to showing only the value from the second field from within a value list?

It seems like "show only value from second field" should actually only show the value from the second field in a drop down just like it does in a pop up!

I tried using the technique file included here to test that theory, and was proven wrong. Now I need to find a work-around.