Select boxes for fields can be added by clicking Add select box under the Action column next to the selected field.
A select box limits the entries a user can enter to those selected from a list of options rather than having to manually type data into a text box. For example, to limit users to enter only
A, B, C, D, E, F, U or ABS into a field then a select box would be created. When a select box for a field is created on Pupil Tracking it automatically overrides the default text box which is normally displayed to users when adding or editing data.
Up to 30 options can be generated, each of which can be up to 8 characters long. You may also choose to copy options from fields that have established select boxes.
By choosing to edit a select box you will have the option of deleting the select box. By deleting a select box the field will return to the default text box for data entry. The field, and the data within the field, will not be affected.
When creating a select box it is important to enter options appropriate to the type of data that will be stored in that field. For example, creating a select box with the options A,B,C,D,E,F in a field that has the field type decimal will make users think that they are entering A, B, C etc.. when in actual fact Pupil Tracking will be recording 0.0 because any text entered into a decimal field defaults to 0.0 See field types for more information.
Other questions about select boxes have been answered in the FAQs below:
Q: Does creating a select box affect the data within a field?
A: No. A select box merely creates a new means of data entry for that field.
Q: I want to create a select box for a field that already has data entered into it via a text box. What data will show up in the select box?
A: Providing the existing data held in the database is also listed as an option in the select box, the select box will display the data held in the field as the initially selected option. For example, if D was entered into a field via a text box, when the select box is created ensure that D is listed as an option, so that previously entered D's are shown.
Q: I want to create a select box with different options to the data I know already exists in that field. What will the select box display when users edit the data?
A: If, for example, you created a select box with the options CAT, DOG, RABBIT for a field that has the current data HAMPSTER, GERBLE, MOUSE, when users tried to edit that data the select box would display a blank option for the initial selection. In this instance users would be forced to select a new option.
Q: I have imported the grades a,b,c into Pupil Tracking. I then created a select box containing the options A,B,C. When I check pupils' data nothing shows up in the select box?
A: Select boxes are case sensitive. You must import data in the same case as the options you have created. In the above example importing grades in upper case A,B,C would achieve the desired result.