Multi-Relational Fields

Multi-Relational fields allow users to select one or more items from a primary or auxiliary table as values. This associates items with a particular table or workflow.

For example, you can create an auxiliary table that stores versions of products. You can then create a Multi-Relational field in a primary table that tracks data related to customer-reported defects, and set the versions table as the relational field table. This allows users to select multiple product version numbers for each defect being tracked.

Multi-Relational fields are defined in SBM Composer. Use the Manage Data feature in Application Administrator to add values for Multi-Relational fields based on auxiliary tables. Values for Multi-Relational fields based on primary tables are created by users as they submit items into projects.

The following overrides and configuration tasks are performed in Application Administrator:

Specify default values for these fields for projects and transitions in projects.
Override display options for Multi-Relational fields in projects and transitions in projects. For details, refer to Overriding Display Options for Selection Fields.

Note: Default values for Multi-Relational fields in auxiliary tables are set in SBM System Administrator.

Attributes

You can override the following Multi-Relational field attributes for default fields in projects and transition fields. Attributes set for fields in the Default Fields list apply to all transitions; attributes set for fields for a transition apply only to that transition.

Required
Indicates that users are required to provide a value for this field. If a value was previously set for the field, the field label appears in green, italic text on forms.
Allow Mass Update
Indicates that the field is available when users mass update items in a project. Mass updates allow users to simultaneously transition, update, or delete multiple primary items and to simultaneously update or delete multiple auxiliary items.
Read Only
Indicates that users can view but not edit the field.

Display Options

You can override the following display options for default fields in projects and transitions fields:

Allow Searching
Indicates that the Value Find feature is enabled for the field on submit, transition, and update forms. This allows users to enter to search for values.
List Box
Enables users to select one or more values from a list.
Check Boxes
Enables users to select one or more values from check boxes populated with selections listed in the Selections area.
Height of List Box
Indicates the number of rows that display values for the field on forms. You can set the number of rows to be displayed as appropriate for the number of expected values for the field. This option is available for the List Box and Allow Searching options.

Transition Actions

The following options are available for fields when you are editing a transition and enable you to control field values for the transition. For example, you may want to clear an existing value for a required field when a transition is executed, forcing users to provide a new value. These options apply to all field types for transitions.

Leave Value Unchanged
Select to retain the field's current value when the transition is complete.
Clear Value
Select to clear the field's current value.
Set Value to Default Value
Select to use a default value for the field as the user executes the transition. You can then select a default value.

Value Options

The field's default values, if applicable, are listed. Select default values as needed. Possible default values are determined by the active records in the relational field table listed on the General page for the field. For example, if the relational field table is a Versions table, possible default values are version records in the table.