The "MultiSelect Dropdown" field type is a feature that allows you to provide your users with a more flexible and user-friendly way to make multiple selections using a dropdown menu. With this feature, they can easily choose one, all, or none of the available options, making data collection more versatile and user-centric.
Why Use MultiSelect Dropdowns?
MultiSelect Dropdowns are a game-changer for form creators and users alike. They offer a wide range of benefits, including:
Efficiency: Users can select multiple options with a single interaction, reducing the time and effort required to complete forms.
User-Friendly: It's intuitive and convenient, allowing users to make choices that reflect their preferences accurately.
Error Reduction: With predefined options, the chances of data entry errors are minimized.
Versatility: Suitable for a variety of use cases, from scheduling availability to product preferences.
Setting up MultiSelect Dropdown Fields:
After creating a Form block and importing your Sheet, select the field that you'd like to turn into a a MultiSelect Dropdown. In the example below, a form is being created to allow customers to indicate their shipping method preferences for their orders. Editing a specific field should now enable you choose the "MultiSelect" Field Type.
Selecting this will populate an "Options" table that will allow you to map out the options your users will be selecting through, with "Label" being the option they'll see and "Value" being the data that will be returned back to your sheet. In this example, I have my label and value the same for both.
Once configured, users will have a nice clean dropdown interface to work with that highlights and specifies the options they've selected.
From there, submitted selections will show up on your data source as comma separated values in a single cell.
Visible / Hidden Filters for MultiSelect Values
Submissions from your users' MultiSelect choices will also help enhance search capabilities anywhere you can configure a visible or hidden filter. Through the collection of data with MultiSelect fields, it opens the door for broader and more nuanced search possibilities. By treating the submitted values as "tags", you can effectively search for combinations of these tags, to uncover intricate patterns and trends of your user submissions.
Choosing the Right Operator for Filtering
When filtering multi-select dropdown values, it's crucial to select the appropriate operator. Since multi-select fields store arrays of values, you'll typically want to use an array-based operator to ensure proper filtering.
For example:
Use "Array Contains" if you want to show results where at least one selected value matches.
Use "Array Contains All" if you need results that include every selected value.
Use "Array Contains Any" if you want results that match at least one of multiple selected values.
Choosing the wrong operator may lead to unexpected results, so be sure to select one that aligns with how your data is structured!
Click here for more information about Frontly's conditional operators.
Initial Setup
In order for Frontly's filtering system to know that the values in your data source are part of an 'Array' and not a 'String', you must ensure that the field has been set as an array through your data source field settings.
Visible Filters
Using the same examples earlier, I can now use the MultiSelect visible filter to gather submissions that meet the criteria of my search. With the results I've been able to pull below, I can now drill into my consumer data with a more analytical approach, or use it to improve the efficiency of our courier logistics operations
Hidden Filters
Using a combination of MultiSelect values and hidden filters, you can regulate the type of information coming through a Table block or any block that has hidden filter capabilities. After separating your values with commas into your conditions, your Table will display the rows of data that includes one of your indicated values.
Edit View:
Preview:
Additional Resources:
Click here to learn more about Adjusting Form Type Fields
Click here to learn more about Visible Filters
Click here to learn more about Hidden Filters