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Single- and multiselect questions like radio buttons, check boxes and dropdowns have a set of options the end-user can select as their answer(s). It is possible to set these options directly in the form builder, but these options can’t be reused in questions across multiple forms. An option source is a list of defined answer options which acts as a separate workspace element. Once defined, an option source can be linked to multiple questions across multiple forms within the same workspace. Option sources are a great way of localizing maintenance of multiple questions in only one place.

The user guides on this page demonstrate the basics of option sources:

Create option sources manually
Create option sources from existing lists (.csv file)
Connecting an option source to a question in the form builder

If you want to see how to create option sources with a video tutorial, check out the Option Sources 3 Ways video on the Compose YouTube channel. It's in Norwegian, but English subtitles are available.

To see how you can populate an option source with a generic service, check out the https://composetogo.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CNGD/pages/1835106 user guide. To see how option sources can be used in more advanced form functionality, check out the https://composetogo.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CNGD/pages/1903722537 user guide.

Manual creation of option sources

Manually creating an option source is a good way to create short lists. For longer lists it’s highly recommended to import an existing list (see the next user guide on this page). Navigate to the Organizer and click the New Option Source button. Enter a fitting option source name and click OK.

The option source appears on the screen. Double-click it to open it in the option source builder.

To add an option, click the Add button. Enter an answer value and a text representation. The answer value is the option reference in the code and the text is the option label visible to the end-user.

Add more options in the option source by clicking the Add button. Then save the draft.

When you are happy with your list, click the Publish button and then OK to confirm.

The option source is now published and available to use in forms and workflows. You are taken to the read-only Published tab where you can see the published version of the option source. You can always view the published option source here, to check what is being used in your forms and workflows.

If you need to make changes to the option source, go back to the Edit tab. Here you can make the changes, save your draft and Publish again. Note: If you’ve exited the option source and want to edit the option source based on the published draft, you need to click the Populate button next to the Publish button and then click the Populate button in the dialog window.

Navigate to the Organizer. The option source is now labeled as Published in the workspace table and can be connected to forms and workflows.

Create an option source from an existing list

Create a new option source and double-click it to open it in the option source builder.

We want to populate the option source with a csv file (see the bottom of the page to download the file). Click the Populate button and then navigate to the Populate From External File tab.

Set the format, encoding, and separator appropriate for the file you are uploading. Then Browse (Velg fil) to select the file. When you are happy with your settings and selected file, click the Populate button.

The list is then automatically populated. Commit any adjustments to your liking and save the draft.

After saving you can publish the option source by clicking Publish and then OK.

The published list is displayed in the Published tab.

The published option source is ready to be linked to a form question.

Connecting an option source to a form question

For this user guide, you’ll be needing a form. See the https://composetogo.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CNGD/pages/1835209 user guide to get started. Enter the Builder section of the form builder. Add a single- or multiselect question element, say a dropdown. Select it from the canvas to start customizing the dropdown properties.

In the properties panel, scroll down to the input properties and choose the Select radio button. By clicking Browse you may browse the workspace to connect the question to an option source.

Navigate in your workspace, select an option source and click OK. You may only select the published ones.

The option source is now connected and will be used as the list of options in the dropdown element.

Remember to save your draft and version the form to be able to use it in a workflow. To see more advanced usage of option sources, check out the https://composetogo.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CNGD/pages/1903722537 user guide.

Attached is the csv file used in the second user guide: