Instructions for use
Contingent values are mainly used in attribute editing, allowing mutual constraints between multiple fields. During attribute editing, only values that satisfy these constraints are considered valid. If a dataset has contingent values set, the program will automatically filter the values shown as matches according to the set conditions during attribute editing.
For example, in land data management, setting constraints between the primary and secondary feature fields means that if the primary category field is set to "Cropland," the program will show matching values for the secondary category field, such as dry land, paddy field, etc. If the primary category is set to "Woodland," the secondary category will display options like arbor woodland, shrub woodland, etc. This logical association between fields restricts input values, preventing unreasonable data entries and improving data entry efficiency.
Function Entry
- Dataset context menu->Browse Attribute Table.
Operation Steps
- Double-click a cell in the attribute table to start editing.
- Click the dropdown list of the cell to view available values, which are grouped into exact matches and partial matches:
- Exact Match: These values are listed at the top and belong to valid combinations that fully match all other contingent value fields in this row.
- Partial Match: If partial matches exist, clicking on them opens a list grouped by matching fields. Partial matches are valid values corresponding to a single constraint value already entered. Selecting a value from a partial match only ensures the validity of the two corresponding cells and does not guarantee that all field values in the contingent value field group are valid. Further matching edits are required to make the record valid.
- To view all value combinations in the domain, click Show All at the bottom of the list, which will display all values in the field domain. To switch back to viewing only matching values, click Show matches at the bottom of the list.
- Contingent values can be applied in any field order. After entering a field value, subsequent selections for the remaining fields will be filtered based on the valid combinations defined by the contingent values. If the entered field value corresponds to only one unique valid contingent value combination, the remaining fields will be automatically filled.
- After entering all field values, if the entered values do not comply with the contingent value constraints, the attribute table cannot be updated successfully, and a pop-up message will indicate which constraint is not met.
Note:If the condition in the dataset is a non-limiting condition, meaning Limit field input was not checked during creation, the attribute table can still be updated successfully even if the entered values do not comply with the contingent value constraints.
- In the attribute table context menu, the contingent value items provide Show only condition value fields, Highlight invalid values, and Update other fields automatically:
- Show only condition value fields: When selected, only fields with contingent values set are displayed in the attribute table, and other fields are hidden.
- Highlight invalid values: When selected, invalid combinations in the table will be highlighted.
- Update other fields automatically: This option is checked by default. When a unique combination is encountered, the remaining fields will be automatically filled.
Related Topics
Import/Export Contingent Values