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

[FrankB]

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

[Zollie]

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.

[FrankB]

Zollie:

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

Some Multi-Select
Option1

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

[Zollie]

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)

[FrankB · Accepted solution]

Zollie:

LEFT({Multi-Select Field},FIND(",",{Multi-Select Field})-1)

Works like a charm! Thank you!

[FrankB]

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