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Last updated: 13 Apr 1998
If you use a "Drop-down list" the list will automatically move to the first entry for the key you press. E.g... if you press an 'L' it will move to the first entry starting with 'L'. If you then press an 'E' it will move to the first entry starting with 'E'.
If you use a "Field box and List" the list will automatically show the first entry for what you have typed so far. E.g.. as before, if you press an 'L' it will show the first entry starting with 'L'. Then, if you then press an 'E' it will show the first entry starting with 'LE', and so forth. Note: 1) The list won't move down if what you type is already shown on the list. 2) You have to click or TAB onto the entry you want. 3) in v96 and later, there is a check box in the FILE / USER SETUP / APPROACH PREFERENCES / GENERAL menu to 'Expand Drop-down lists automatically'.
Some people have expressed the opinion that allowing users to enter data into a "Field box and List" can lead to corrupt data due to multiple entries, misspellings, incorrect punctuation etc..... There are a couple of ways to avoid this:
1) determine all the possible entries and enter them into a drop down list.
2) create a separate database to hold all the values for the drop down list. Have separate Forms for the Users (which just has a drop down list and doesn't allow them to make new entries) and Administrators (using a Field box and List" to make new entries and maintain the data).
In v3.02 and earlier, a "Drop-down list" is called a "Value list", and a "Field box and List" is called a "Text and Value List", but they do the same things.