Configure Relationships using Input Forms

Author: Ian Britz

Introduction

In this article, let's walk through the steps to configure a relationship using Input Forms. For example, imagine that we have a number of Entities and Departments. A Department could be valid in all, some, or only one of the Entities. As there's no key or intrinsic relationship between Entities and Departments, the best solution is to create a Form to manually define the mapping.

For more information on Valid Relationships and Linked Models, visit the following articles:

• Use Linked Models
• Use Relationships
• Configure Relationships using Data Rules
• Configure Many-To-Many Relationships

Example

1. Create a Validation Model to define valid combinations of Dimension Members.

We called our Model Valid Entity-Dep and added the Entity and Department Dimensions. 

2. Deploy the Application. 

3. Create a Form in the Model to define the relationship. We named it Department-Entity.

4. Configure the Form with all Department Members on the rows and Entity Members on the columns.

Note: The axis placement of the Dimensions does not matter. You can have Entity on the rows and Department on the columns.

5. Create a special Admin Dashboard and add the Form. 

An Admin Dashboard is just a regular Dashboard used for managing administrative settings and other configurations. For our purposes, we just need the Form and a way to Post data.

Note: Ensure you can write to the Dashboard App and Model. 

6. Go to the App and enter a value in every intersection where a relationship exists between Departments and Entities.

7. Link our Validation Model to the Model you want to apply the relationship to. 

8. In your target Form, go to Advanced > Relationship and click Add. 

9. Select the Validation Model and click Add. 

10 Select and choose Department.

Now only valid Departments are shown for each Entity.