List Data Types

List is a collection data type. It allows multiple values to be stored within the same field. In Table Design, you must configure the List data type with all the values that the field stores. These values will be available for the field in table Datasheet view and in DataPages.

For example, in a Patients table, Allergies may be a List – String data type that is configured with all known allergies. Within an application, a user filling out a New Patients form can select all the allergies that pertain to them from the provided options.

There are three List data types:

• List – String for a maximum of 30 text values of up to 255 characters.
• List – Number for numeric values of up to 15 digits.
• List – Date for date or date/time values.

Follow these steps to add a list field in a table:

1. Open a Table in Design mode.
2. Click on the last row of the table to add a new field.
3. Enter a name for the field in the column Name.
4. In the DataType column, select the List data type for the field from the dropdown. The List options are:
   
   • List – String
   • List – Number
   • List – Date

   Any previously created Text(255) or Text(64000) fields can be easily converted to a corresponding List data type, and vice-versa, without any changes to existing data in these fields. Also, List data types can be converted from one List type to another. For example, a List – Date can be converted to a List – String without any data loss. However, converting from List – String to List – Number will result in loss of incompatible data if you already have entered values for the field.

5. On the right pane, under the Options section, you must provide the Values available for the data type. Up to 1000 values are supported. You can enter the values one by one, paste a list into this area, or import from one of your existing tables by clicking the import icon  .
   
6. Use the toolbar at the bottom of the Values list to add, delete, rearrange, or sort the items in the list. The order of Values applies to current and future fields.
7. Click Save to save your table design.

In table Datasheet view, the List data types are presented as a dropdown of checkboxes. The Values of the List data type are the options in the multi-select checkboxes.