Repeating section

Use a Repeating section in a table form to let users add multiple related records to a single table record. Each row represents a related record and includes the same controls defined in the Repeating section. Connect the Repeating section to a relationship column. This relationship links the main table record to the related records created from each row in the Repeating section.

When the form is submitted:

  • The main table record is created or updated.

  • A related table record is created for each row in the Repeating section.

  • Each related record is linked to the main table record through the relationship column.

For example, an Equipment Request form can use a Repeating section to capture multiple equipment items. Each row represents one equipment item linked to the Equipment Request record.

Use a Repeating section when a single record must store multiple related items, entries, or transactions.

Jump to:

Before you start

Before you add a Repeating section to a form, create the required tables and relationship.

  1. Create the main table to store the form record.

  2. Create the related table to store the Repeating section row data.

  3. Create a Relationship column on the main table.

  4. In the Source table field, select the related table for the Relationship column.

The Repeating section connects to this Relationship column to create and manage related records.

Important: The Repeating section must be connected to a Relationship column that allows multiple rows and has nested operations enabled. If these settings are not configured, the Repeating section cannot create or update related records when the form is submitted.

Map a Repeating section to a relationship column

A Repeating section must be connected to a Relationship column to store related records in a linked table.

If the Relationship column and related table are created before you design the form, the Repeating section is automatically mapped when you connect it to the Relationship column in the Form designer.

If the Repeating section is added before the Relationship column is created, complete the following steps to map the Repeating section:

  1. Add the Repeating section control to the form. For more information, see Add a control to the form.

  2. Save the form. The form remains invalid until the Repeating section is connected to a Relationship column.

  3. Go to Data, open the main table, and create a Relationship column.

  4. Select the related table in the Source table field to link it to the Relationship column.

  5. Return to the Form designer and select the Relationship column in the Connected to field for the Repeating section.

Let's look at the basics of building an Equipment Request table form that includes multiple equipment items. To do this, add a Repeating section control to your table form. Each row in the Repeating section is used to enter equipment item details and creates a related record in the Equipment Items table.

  1. Create a table form for the Equipment Request table. For more information, see Create a form for a table.

  2. Go to Data, open the Equipment Request table, and create a Relationship column named Equipment Items. In the Source table field, select the Equipment Items table.

  3. Add a Repeating section control to the form and connect it to the Equipment Items relationship column.

  4. Configure the Repeating section control with the minimum and maximum number of rows you want displayed. For more information about the configuration, see Fields and settings.

  5. Add the following controls inside the Repeating section:

    • Text - Short (Item name)

    • Text - Short (Item number)

    • Number (Quantity)

    • Currency (Cost)

  6. When a form user adds rows and submits the form, one Equipment Request record is created.
    A related Equipment Item record is created for each row in the Repeating section. Each Equipment Item record is linked to the Equipment Request record through the relationship column. When the form is opened, the Repeating section displays the related Equipment Item records linked to the Equipment Request record.

Relationship column and data storage

A Repeating section in a table form uses a Relationship column to store related records. Each row in the Repeating section creates a related record in the connected table.

  • If a row is added, a new related record is created.

  • If a row is removed, the related record is removed.

  • If a row is updated, the related record is updated.

The relationship column maintains the link between the main table record and the related table records.

Runtime experience

A Repeating section behaves differently depending on whether the form is used to create, view, or edit a table record.

  • New submission: When a user submits a new form

    • The main table record is created.

    • A related record is created for each row in the Repeating section.

    • Each related record is linked to the main table record through the connected Relationship column.

  • View and edit mode: When a user opens an existing table record

    • In view mode, users can view the rows in the Repeating section.

    • In edit mode, users can add new rows and update existing rows in the Repeating section.

    • Deleting rows in a Repeating section isn’t supported in edit mode.

    • To delete a row, go to the Relationship table grid view and delete the required row.

Rules for Repeating sections

When a form contains a Repeating section, the Apply to option is available in the Rules configuration. You can apply a rule to the form or to a specific Repeating section. If a Repeating section is selected, the rule applies only to the controls inside that Repeating section row.

Rules can be used to:

  • Show or hide controls

  • Set control values

  • Make controls required

  • Perform calculations based on values in the same row.

Controls in a Repeating section

You can add input controls inside a Repeating section to capture data for each related record. Each control maps to a column in the related table.

Common controls used in Repeating sections include:

Limitations

The following limitations apply to Repeating sections in table forms:

  • Deleting rows in a Repeating section isn’t supported in edit mode.

  • Default value type is not supported for Repeating sections.

  • You can’t connect multiple Repeating sections to the same Relationship column.

  • Signature controls aren’t supported in a Repeating section.

  • Nested Repeating sections aren’t supported.

Fields and settings

For more information about the fields and settings available in a Repeating section, see Repeating section fields and settings.