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Auto copy first option of a multi-select field to new field

  • April 11, 2020
  • 5 replies
  • 44 views

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Hello,

I’m trying to make a formula that automatically copies the first/top option of a multi-select field to the primary field of that record.
Is this possible?

Any help is much appreciated,

Frank

Best answer by FrankB

Works like a charm! Thank you!

5 replies

Forum|alt.badge.img+18
  • Inspiring
  • April 13, 2020

I’m not aware of any code (formula or scripting block) that can access the options of a multi-select as you’re describing.

But if the top value of the multi-select in question isn’t changing, then you have some options. The simplest would be to just make your primary field a formula and put the text that you want in that formula. For example:

Primary Field
"Option1" & " any other text you want " & {any field you want}

Some Multi-Select
Option1
Option2
Option3

The downside is that the two values aren’t linked. So if you need to change it, you’ll be editing it in two places.


Forum|alt.badge.img+5
  • Author
  • Inspiring
  • April 13, 2020

I rearrange the options in my multi-select based on priority so that won’t work.
I will manually copy the top option into a new single select field until that feature becomes available.

Thanks for your help.

Frank


Forum|alt.badge.img+18
  • Inspiring
  • April 13, 2020

I rearrange the options in my multi-select based on priority so that won’t work.
I will manually copy the top option into a new single select field until that feature becomes available.

Thanks for your help.

Frank


Frank, I think I misunderstood your initial question.

Try this (you’ll need to rename “Multi-Select Field” in the formula to whatever yours is called):

Multi-Select Field
Option1 Option2 Option3
Option4 Option5 Option6

Formula Field
Option1
Option4
Formula:
LEFT({Multi-Select Field},FIND(",",{Multi-Select Field})-1)


Forum|alt.badge.img+5
  • Author
  • Inspiring
  • Answer
  • April 13, 2020

Works like a charm! Thank you!


Forum|alt.badge.img+5
  • Author
  • Inspiring
  • April 14, 2020

Works like a charm! Thank you!


Zollie,

I just realized that the formula:
LEFT({Multi-Select Field},FIND(",",{Multi-Select Field})-1)
calculates blanks when the multi-field only contains one option. For example:

Multi-Select Field
Option1
Option4 Option5 Option6

Formula Field
blank
Option4

Is it possible to make this work when only single options are selected in a multi-field?

thanks!

Frank