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Last modified: Sep 18, 2023

Code lists based on repeating groups from the data model

How to configure code lists that gets it's values from a repeating group from the datamodel?

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Traditional options are based on resources fetched from the backend. This approach differs a bit from this, as it enables setting up a direct connection from the options to the form data that is stored in app frontend. A use case here would typically be if the user fills out a repeating list of data that should later be selected in a dropdown/checkbox/radiobutton.

Configuration

To set up options from the data model we have set up a new property on RadioButtons, Checkboxes, and Dropdown-components called source. This property contains the fields group, label, and value. Example:

      {
        "id": "dropdown-component-id",
        "type": "Dropdown",
        ...
        "source": {
          "group": "some.group",
          "label": "dropdown.label",
          "value": "some.group[{0}].someField"
        }
      },

Explanation:

  • group - the group field in the data model to base the options on
  • label - a reference to a text id to be used as the label for each iteration of the group, see more below.
  • value - a reference to a field in the group that should be used as the option value. Notice that we set up this [{0}] syntax. Here the {0} will be replaced by each index of the group.

Notice that the value field must be unique for each element. If the repeating group does not contain a field which is unique for each item it is recommended to add a field to the data model that can be used as identifier, for instance a GUID.

As for the label property, we have to define a text resource that can be used as a label for each repetition of the group. This follows similar syntax as the value, and will also be familiar if you have used variables in text.

Example text resource connected:

{
  "language": "nb",
  "resources": [
    {
      "id": "dropdown.label",
      "value": "Person: {0}, Age: {1}",
      "variables": [
        {
          "key": "some.group[{0}].name",
          "dataSource": "dataModel.default"
        },
        {
          "key": "some.group[{0}].age",
          "dataSource": "dataModel.default"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

In the example above we have two parameters in the text which is referencing fields in the group. We also recognize the [{0}] syntax in the key prop which enables the usage of this label for each index in the group.