How to: Create a Drop-Down List of Values for a Field

You can enable users to select a value from a drop down list by creating a choice list. By default, users update field values by typing the value into a text box.

To create a choice list for a field

  1. In Solution Explorer, double-click an entity or table.

    The entity or table opens in the Data Designer.

  2. In the Data Designer, select a field (For example: PostalCode).

  3. In the Properties window, click Choice List.

    The Choice List dialog box appears.

  4. In the choice list table, click Add Value, and then type any value (For example: 98052).

  5. On the same row, click Display Name, and then type the name that you want to appear for this option.

  6. To add more values to the choice list, repeat the previous two steps.

    The following illustration shows values in the Choice List dialog box.

    The completed choice list

  7. Click OK to close the Choice List dialog box.

To remove a choice list from a field

  1. In Solution Explorer, double-click an entity or table.

    The entity or table opens in the Data Designer.

  2. In the Data Designer, select the field that uses a choice list.

  3. In the Properties window, click the X that appears next to the Choice List link.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Add a Computed Field

How to: Define Data Fields

Other Resources

Data: The Information Behind Your Application