Cascade Command (PDFlib Advanced Command)

New Blocks command: cascade

How to use cascade Command?

The Cascade command accepts one value: file name and path of an excel file describing the structure. Both xls and xlsx files are allowed.

The Cascade command displays a maximum of three dropdown lists that are linked together depending on the structure (and values) found in the excel file to either fill one or two text boxes and/or one or two hidden fields.

                                                                                      

Any column value of the matching row can be accessed by other blocks.

Certain rules apply when creating the file:

1. Columns that are to appear as dropdown lists should have a prefix of d: in the header. Header text is used as control label. Example for a Country dropdown list column header is d:Country.
2. A maximum of three dropdown columns is allowed.
3. The left most column will have the higher hierarchy. Sample of three dropdown list columns: d:Country d:Province d:City
4. Columns that are to appear as Text boxes should have a t: prefix. Example: t: Address. A maximum of two is allowed.
5. Columns that are to be hidden (but their values used) can have no prefix or v: prefix. A maximum of two is allowed.
6. d: and t: should never  be used in headers that are not dropdowns or textboxes respectively.
7. Care should be taken when constructing the file, especially dropdown columns. To make it work correctly, same text should match exactly. That is, if Country is used as a dropdown column then USA and U.S.A. will be considered as two countries. It is recommended to trim and make case match too.
8. The printout of such block would be a string of all values of the selected row separated by spaces. To print any particular cell value, use the following syntax: {BlockName::Column No}
9. Example (see data in figure below): Assuming the block name is Cascade:
   1. To get the country selection use: {Cascade::1}
   2. To get the city: {Cascade::3}
   3. To get both hidden values: {Cascade::6} {Cascade::7}

Sample Excel Sheet