Lookup tables are used in applications to provide data that is not directly stored in the application and may change over time. For example, you can use them for a list of villages that changes over the time of your project. They also allow you to assign certain data (ex. villages) to certain users They are particularly helpful for grouping related information like defining geographical locations. 📖Learn more about Referencing Locations in Applications.
A table consists of fields which defines the information to be stored. A project can have multiple tables defined and multiple fields can be defined for a given table. Note: Hierarchal data is best managed with a table for each variable (ex: state, district, block, and outlet).
Note: The Visible to all users? selection determines whether a table is public or assigned to individual users. This is especially helpful when users should only see those items that are related to them. Applications deployed in multiple languages require more than one Field for a given property (i.e., state name, state abbreviation) 📖Learn more Advanced Lookup Tables.
After a table(s) is created, the view tables option can be used to see its data.
Note: Tables can also be viewed in the Manage Tables window by clicking View Table next to the table ID of interest.
Once a table is created, it can be downloaded for bulk editing. New tables can be created or existing tables updated by uploading Microsoft Excel files.
Note: The downloaded Microsoft Excel file includes a sheet titled Types, a sheet for each table with collected data, user ID columns, and Delete (Y/N) columns. The Types sheet is necessary when defining advanced lookup tables. 📖Learn more Advanced Lookup Tables.
When lookup tables are downloaded for editing in MS Excel, the file includes a sheet titled Types along with a sheet for each table with collected data to include a UID and Delete (Y/N) columns. The Types sheet is necessary when defining advanced lookup tables. 📖Learn more Advanced Lookup Tables.
Example: "District" table download
Types sheet
District (table) sheet
Note: If a table requires rows assigned to users (i.e., user 1, group 1), these columns should be added manually. 📖Learn more about Mobile Worker Groups.
Tables can become very large and degrade application performance when deployed to mobile devices. This issue can be avoided by splitting large tables which is especially helpful for location-based lookup tables that will need to reorganize.
Note: After all steps above have been completed, the lookup table references should be updated or a second question can be added to a Form to reference the new lookup table instead.
The result is a second lookup table that contains file that was split. Below is an example.