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Power Platform Community / Forums / Power Apps / Field of type Choice o...
Power Apps
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Field of type Choice or other List?

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Posted on by 57

Hello:)
As a topic:
Which is better, faster etc: Choice field or separate list to select from. Applies to SharePoint.
So far I have been using Choice.
Thank you in advance for each entry.

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  • zmorek Profile Picture
    3,272 on at

    I think it depends - will the choices expand or change over time? Are there a million choices? Might be easier to use a list, as you can manage that a little bit easier (vs. having to explain to a user how to navigate to the column options in the list itself). Not changing? Probably OK to use a choice column.

     

    Some funky business can happen with choice columns, for example, you can't search it with Search() because it's not text; you'll end up having to use AddColumns() to get around that. Else if you just use a list, it's easier to search. Either way, not awful to have to do either.

  • Silvester. Akakpo Profile Picture
    783 on at

    Choice is when you are not looking at a dynamic list of options. 
    List is basically when you plan to have dynamic data, also applies if you looking at child records with  attributes(metadata) that maybe needed when processing or searching data.

  • Drrickryp Profile Picture
    Super User 2024 Season 1 on at

    @Thoma2008 

    I never use Choice columns, either I have a second list or I set that column type to single line of text and hard code the options in a radio control or dropdown ["Option1","Option2", etc].  As above, it mostly depends on whether the options will be added or if they are static and will not change.  If dynamic, the second list can be added to the app and modified as needed within the app. 

  • Thoma2008 Profile Picture
    57 on at

    @zmorek @Silvester @Drrickryp 

    Thank you all for the hints.

  • AsanKani Profile Picture
    710 on at

    @Thoma2008 ,

    1. It is based on your requirement, If you need to update your data frequently use SharePoint list to retrieve data. Because you don't need to every time update app. you may use another SP list.
    2. If data is default means you can use Dropdown is better way and coding also simple.
    3. If your data based on PowerApps to update any time / modified the data content like your one of the data or choice is "Name", now you update to "First name" or remove the "Name" filed or so on so modification do means "Go to Collection" use based on your requirement

    Lot of way available. Simple and easy means go Dropdown / Collection. that is my suggestion to you. if need use Combo box also.

    Please click Accept as solution if my post helped you solve your issue. This will help others find it more readily. It also closes the item. If the content was useful in other ways or you liked the post and want to show some appreciation, please give it a Thumbs Up.

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