Define Validation/Auto-Population Properties for a Field

Use the Validation/Auto-Population page in the Field Properties window to define the following:

• Validation properties: Whether to validate the Field and how (using a Lookup Object, range, list, etc.).
• Auto-populate properties: Whether to automatically populate the Field, how (using a defined value or a Field, System Function, Stored Value, Expression, or Group Map), and when (using defined conditions, such as when another Field's value changes).

  Note: The Field Properties window is available in the Business Object Editor (accessed from within a Blueprint in CSM Administrator).

To define validation/auto-population properties for a Field:

1. Open the Field Properties window:
   1. In the CSM Administrator main window, click the Blueprints category, and then click the Create a New Blueprint task.

      Note: If working on a saved Blueprint, open the existing Blueprint.

      The Blueprint Editor opens, displaying the Object Manager in its Main Pane. The Object Manager lists the existing Business Objects.

   2. In the Object Manager, click a Business Object in the Object tree, and then click the Edit Business Object task in the Structure area.

      The Business Object Editor opens.

      Tip: You can also click the Edit Business Object button on the Blueprint Editor Toolbar to open the Business Object Editor.

   3. Click a new or existing Field, and then click the Field Properties button.

      The Field Properties window opens.

2. Click the Validation/Auto-Populate page.

   

3. Define Validation properties for a Field:
   • Validate from table: Select this check box to use the values from a Field in a selected Business Object to validate the Field. In CSM, Users can see the valid values for the Field by pressing F3 or clicking the Legal Values button .

     Tip: When creating Forms, you can use a drop-down for the Field Form Control to list the valid values in a drop-down.

     Then, define table validation properties.

     

     • Table: In the drop-down, select a Business Object to use to validate the Field:
       • Lookup Tables: Select this radio button to show only Lookup Objects in the drop-down menu.
       • All Tables: Select this radio button to show all Business Objects in the drop-down menu.
       • Click the Edit Table Data button to open the Data Editor, where you can edit the data contained in the selected Business Object.
     • Field: In the drop-down, select another Field to use to validate the Field.
     • Validation is enforced: Select this check box to enforce validation (Users can only select from values in the validation table). Clearing this check box allows Users to enter values that are not in the validation table.
     • Selecting values triggers fill: Select this check box to use this Field as a trigger for auto-populating another Field (the other Field is auto-populated when the value for this Field changes).
     • On conflict use first match: Select this check box to automatically use the first value in the validation table if multiple rows contain the same value. Otherwise, the User is prompted to select which row to use.
     • Limit Values: Add constraints to limit the list of values that are available to the User. For example, you can limit the list of Sub-Categories that are displayed on an Incident based on the value selected for the Category field.
       1. Click Add to add a constraint or filter.

          Tip: Click Edit to edit a selected constraint or filter. Click Delete to remove a selected constraint or filter.

          The Add Constraint window opens (when you click Add or Edit).

          

       2. Define the constraint:
          • Field: Select a Field in the Business Object you are currently working with.
          • Operator: Select an operator (ex: Equals).
          • Value: Select a value for the Field. Applicable values include:
            • Fields
            • Expressions
            • Metric Values
            • Stored Values
            • System Functions
       3. Click OK.
     • The constraint is added to the list. When limiting values change, clear Field's value (normal): Select this check box to clear the Field's value when any of the constraint values change.
     • Custom Error: Provide an error message that is displayed to the User when an invalid value is selected for a Field.
   • Validate with range: Select this check box to define a Range Expression that ensures the Field's value is between two values (ex: Priority between 1 and 5, percent between 1 and 100, date within a specified time period).

     

     • Left of Range: Provide a value to use as the left boundary for the range. Or, select a value for the Field in the drop-down. Applicable values include:
       • Fields
       • Expressions
       • Metric Values
       • Stored Values
       • System Functions
     • Left Operator: Select an operator for the left value in the range.
     • Field to Check: Displays the Field that is being validated.
     • Right Operator: Select an operator for the right value in the range.
     • Right of Range: Provide a value to use as the right boundary for the range. Or, select a value for the Field in the drop-down.

       Note: Right operators and values are only available if the left operator is Less Than or Less or Equal.

     • Applicable values include:
       • Fields
       • Expressions
       • Metric Values
       • Stored Values
       • System Functions
     • Expression: Displays the range Expression using the selected range values and operators.
     • Custom Error: Provide an error message that is displayed to the User when an invalid value is selected for a Field.
   • Validate from list: Select this check box to create a list of valid values for the Field. This is useful if you have a handful of values that are unlikely to change, and you do not want to define a Lookup Business Object to hold the values.

     

     • New Value: Provide a value to include in the list. Then, click Add to add it to the list.

       Tip: You can also add values to the list by clicking an empty row and entering the value. Use the Up/Down arrows to change the order of selected values.

     • Custom Error: Provide an error message that is displayed to the User when an invalid value is selected for a Field.
   • Other Validation Types: Select this check box to use another type of validation for the Field.

     

     • Expression: Select this radio button to use an Expression to determine whether the Field is valid. You can use either:
       • Stored Expression: Click the Ellipses button to open the Expression Manager, and then select an existing stored Expression or create a new stored Expression. Stored Expressions can be reused in numerous places in CSM.
       • Custom Expression: Click the Custom Expression button to open the Custom Expression Builder, and then create a custom Expression specifically for this scenario.
     • Valid Team or Workgroup: Select this radio button to use a selected Team or Workgroup as valid values for the Field. Then, select a Team or Workgroup in the drop-down.
     • Custom Error: Provide an error message that is displayed to the User when an invalid value is selected for a Field.
4. Define auto-population properties for a Field:
   • Auto-populate: Select this check box to automatically fill in the Field's value when another Field's value changes. This allows additional values to be retrieved from a validation table when a value is selected for one Field.

     

     • Populate when there is a change in table: In the drop-down, select a Business Object that, when changed, will trigger auto-populating the Field.
     • Field: In the drop-down, select a Field from the selected Business Object that, when changed, will trigger auto-populating the Field (the trigger field).

       Note: Typically, the selected Business Object is the same as the one containing the Field being auto-populated, but it can also be a Business Object that has a 1-1 Relationship with the Business Object containing the Field being auto-populated.

     • Populate with: Select an option for auto-populating the Field:
       • Field from <validation table> lookup table: Select this radio button to populate the Field with a value from a Field in the table used to validate the selected trigger Field. Then, select a Field in the drop-down.

         Note: This option is only available if the selected trigger Field is validated from a table.

       • Value: Select this radio button to auto-populate the Field with a defined value. Then, provide a value. Click the Legal Values button for a list of valid values (only available if the Field is validated).
       • Field: Select this radio button to auto-populate the Field with a value from another Field in the Business Object. Then, select a Field in the drop-down.
       • Function: Select this radio button to auto-populate the Field using a System Function. Then, select a System Function in the drop-down.
       • Stored Value: Select this radio button to auto-populate the Field using a Stored Value. Then, select a most recently used (MRU) Stored Value in the drop-down, or click the Ellipses button to open the Stored Value Manager, where you can select an existing Stored Value or create a new one.
       • Expression: Select this radio button to auto-populate the Field using an Expression. You can use either:
         • Stored Expression: Click the Ellipses button to open the Expression Manager, and then select an existing stored Expression or create a new stored Expression. Stored Expressions can be reused in numerous places in CSM.
         • Custom Expression: Click the Custom Expression button to open the Custom Expression Builder, and then create a custom Expression specifically for this scenario.
     • Only populate if Field is empty: Select this check box to only populate the Field if it does not contain a value.

     Example: When the User selects a value for the Status Field, another Field can be automatically populated with the descriptive text of the Status. Or, when a value is provided in one Field (Approve Reason), another Field (ex: Approve Date Time) can be automatically populated with the date/time and the name of the User who made the change.

   • Populate Using Map: Select this check box to auto-populate the Field using a Group Map. Use Group Maps to map values in Fields to members of a Group Object. This allows the system to select the appropriate Group Member within a Relationship. For example, a Specifics ID Field could use a Specifics Group Map that would populate the Field with the ID of a Specifics Group Member (ex: Hardware Specifics or Software Specifics), and then show the appropriate Specifics Form in the Business Object.

     

     • Group Map: In the drop-down, select an existing Group Map. Or, click the Group Map button to open the Group Map Manager, where you can select an existing Group Map or create a new one.
5. Click OK.
6. Publish the Blueprint (File>Publish Blueprint) to commit the changes, or save the Blueprint (File>Save Blueprint) to continue making other changes.