Referencing data from another data type

Create reusable data for your application and build easy to maintain forms by using a data reference.

A data reference is a field in your data model that is linked to a data type in your application. When you add a data reference to a form, it prompts users to select a data record, or instance of the data type. For example, you can reference the Vehicle data type on an accident claim form to display a list of car models.

Note: Unlike fields and forms that are specific to a case type, data types are accessible throughout your application. You can create data references in different case types that are linked to the same data type.

You can reference a data type in the following ways:

  • Adding a new field to a form and setting the field type to Data reference.
  • Selecting a data type in the Reuse fields panel. This technique automatically creates and configures a data-reference field.
  • Selecting an existing data reference in the Reuse fields panel.
  • Adding a data reference field to a data type or case type.
  1. Access the data model for a data type or a case type, based on how the field will be used in your application.
  2. Click + Add field.
  3. In the Name column, enter a label for the field. You can modify the identifier that is automatically generated in the ID column.
  4. In the Type column, select Data reference from the list of options.
  5. In the Options column, select a data type from the autocomplete field.
    Alternatively, you can create a new data type by clicking New.
  6. Click the Configure field icon in the row of the data reference.
  7. In the Data Page field, select a data page that is populated with data records.
  8. Click Submit.
  9. If you are updating the data model for a case type, click Save. There is no save option for data types in Dev Studio.