Reference Columns

Records stored in different tables can be linked to each other. For example, in the Projects table, you can select a Client Name value stored in the Clients table. TeamDesk allows users to establish relationships between records in one table and records in another table using reference columns. Reference columns provide a straightforward way to create relationships between tables.

When you edit the settings of a reference column, in addition to the general properties, you can access the reference column options.

The Single-Reference column includes the following Single-Reference Options:

Single-Reference-options

The Multi-Reference column includes the following Multi-Reference Options:

Multi-Reference-options

Single/Multi-Reference Options

Reference To: This option displays the reference table from which the dropdown records will be selected.
Link Table: An intermediary table where the linked records are automatically stored when the Multi-Reference column is added.
Proxy Column: Use this property to specify a column containing a user-friendly value that allows users to identify the referred record. The system will automatically create a lookup column for the proxy column and display it instead of the reference column value in views and on the record preview screen.
Record Picker: Use the Record Picker to specify how master table records should be displayed when editing a reference column on the Edit form.

The following record picker modes are available:

Simple choices: all options (master table records) are presented as a dropdown list of choices;
Dropdown with 'Browse Choices' option: to view all choices, select the "Browse Choices" option in the dropdown. When the "Browse Choices" option is selected, all accessible choices are displayed in a new pop-up window with a possibility of search;
Type-in with 'Search' button - a user may type in a keyword or a part of it in the search field. The list of choices matching search criteria will be opened in the pop-up dropdown;
Radio Buttons - This option is helpful if you have a single-reference column referring to a small dataset. The system generates the list of radio buttons and a user can select a related record directly on the screen;
Check Boxes - This option can be activated in a multi-reference column referring to a small dataset. The system generates a list of check boxes and a user can select many related records directly on the screen.

The Radio Buttons data entry does not support undefined or blank option. If you need an undefined (null) value, consider setting the Record Picker property to Simple choices.

Override default record picker: If you activate this checkbox, you can override the default record picker and configure specific options for selecting master records in a reference column.
It enables you to filter out the records, that will be available for the user, as well as override the sorting of the available records.

A reference column always participates in a relationship. Therefore, if you adjust the Override default record picker options in the reference column settings, the same options will be displayed in the corresponding relation, and vice versa.