Skip to content
Release: Australia · Updated: 2026-03-12 · Official documentation · View source

Display a reference field as a choice list

You can display a reference field as a choice list instead of opening a lookup window.

Before you begin

Role required: personalize_dictionary

About this task

Note: A choice reference field with a defined reference key won't function.

Procedure

  1. In the form, right-click the label for the reference field and select Configure Dictionary.

  2. In the Choice List Specification section, select one of the following options in the Choice field.

    • Dropdown with --None--
    • Dropdown without --None--
    • Right-click the form header and click Save.
  3. Under Related Links, click Advanced view.

  4. In the Attributes field, add the following attribute, separated from other attributes by a comma.

    ref_auto_completer=AJAXReferenceChoice
    
  5. Click Update.

    The form reopens, with the reference field as a choice list.

    Note:

    The glide.ui.max_ref_dropdown system property determines whether a reference field is displayed as a choice list or a reference icon. When the number of available choices exceeds the value of this property, a reference icon displays instead of a choice list. The default value of this property is 25. This property affects the entire instance, however you can override this property on an individual field by using the max_ref_dropdown dictionary attribute. Modifying dictionary attributes requires the personalize_dictionary role.

    The glide.xmlhttp.max_choices system property determines how many choices display on a choice list. This property has a value of 15 by default, however, when the property is not present on the instance, the instance uses a hard coded value of 10.

Related topics

System dictionary