How to create a list provided by a data source in the response form

This article explains how to allow the user to select an answer from a fixed list, originating from a data source, in the response form so it can be used to populate the smart template. 

How to allow selecting an answer from a fixed list

When building the response form, the Dropdown question can be used to allow the user to pick from an existing list of answers originating from a data source. It can be created by following the steps below: 

1. In Template Designer, open the Form tab.
2. Click + Add question.
3. In the Type field select Dropdown.
4. In Question title type the question. This is the question that will be displayed to the end-user.
5. Select the Data source containing the list of answers necessary for the question.
6. Select the Label column of the data source that should be displayed to end-users when answering the question.
7. Optionally, set additional settings:
   
   • Required: Enable this option if the user should be prevented from finalizing the generation of the document if the input is missing. An asterisk will be displayed in the response form to indicate that the question is mandatory. 
   • Filter options: Narrow down the list based on other dropdown questions from the response form or based on User Profile fields.
     

     Note This section will only be displayed if the dropdown is eligible for filtering.

   • Reference name: Will be prepopulated based on the question title. The reference name will be displayed when using the form responses and is also the name used in the binding syntax.
   • Default value: Prepopulate the question with one of the answers from the list. The answer is editable by the end-user. 
   • Related column for Update: Select the data source column used for Update to refer to, when changes were made to the document in the background (e.g. by third party software).
   • Spacing before: Edit the space between the question and the elements above it in the response form (None, Medium, or Large).
   • Spacing after: Edit the space between the question and the elements below it in the response form (None, Medium, or Large).
   • Helptext prefix: Add additional help text above the question to guide the user.
   • Helptext postfix: Add additional help text below the question to guide the user.
   • Hide if no interaction: Enable this option if the question should be hidden when no user interaction is required by the end-user, this is commonly used in conjunction with filtering.
   • Auto select first option: Enable this option to prepopulate the question with the first option available in the list. 
   • Share value: Enable this option if the same question is used in the response form of dynamic text elements or slides that can be inserted when generating a document or a presentation. The answer to the question will be reused to avoid prompting the user with redundant questions.
8. Click Add to form.
   

   Tip Once the question has been created you can click Preview form to see how the question will appear to the end-user.

Example

Required dropdown to specify the classification of a document

In this example the Classification data source is used:

A required 'Classification' question is created, that is linked to the Name column of the Classification data source:

In the Composer the result looks like this: