Free Text in a Drop Down Field?

[tmitton]

I've generated a Power App from a SharePoint List that I created. One of my columns in the SharePoint List is formatted as a "Choice" and I selected the box that says "Can add values manually".

The Power App that was generated contains a drop-down field for this particular item. When using the app, the user is able to manually enter in their own text rather than selecting one of the drop-down choices, but when they try to submit the form, they get an error with that field highlighted. 

Anyone know how I can fix this? I'm trying to go this route because for this particular field there are around ten really popular selections, which I included in the drop-down menu to make it easier for the user. However, there are closer to 50 possible answers and if the user needs to indicate a particular option by typing it in rather than selecting from the drop-down I'd like them to be able to do that without having to answer "Other" and then having a totally different field pop-up. 

[v-yutliu-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @tmitton ,

Do you want user could choose value from drop down or enter data manually to update a choice column?

If so, I suggest you use a combo box instead of drop down.

Since in a combo box, you could not only choose value, but also enter data manually.

Could you tell me whether your choice column allows multiple choice? 

I assume no.

You could set your combo box like this:

Items:

Choices(listname.fieldname)
//please replace with your listname and your choice fieldname

set this datacard's Update:

If(
IsBlank(ComboBox2.Selected.Value),
{Value:ComboBox2.SearchText},
ComboBox2.Selected
)

please replace with your combo box name 

//if you select item in the combo box, use the choice value to update. If you not select item in the combo box, use the entered value to update.

Best regards,

[Psrules]

Hi,

Ive tried this but when i input free text it doesn't save it just leaves the column blank. Any ideas where i'm going wrong?

Thanks Dean

Choices([@TimeSheet].Project_x0020_or_x0020_job)

If(IsBlank(ComboBox1.Selected.Value),{value:ComboBox1.SearchText},ComboBox1.Selected)

[Remy_0722]

use this : 

If(

    !IsBlank(DataCardValue33.Selected),

    DataCardValue33.Selected,

    !IsBlank(DataCardValue33.SearchText),

    {

        Value: DataCardValue33.SearchText

    }

)