Field Dependencies

What is Field Dependency?

Field Dependency means controlling the value(s) of a field that is based on a value selected in another field, called a dependent field.    

There are two Field Dependencies:

•  Controlling Field is a type of picklist field that controls what values will become available on its designated dependent fields.
  
  
• Dependent Field is a custom picklist field type value that is dependent on the values selected for a controlling field.
  
  

Example:

You want to create a picklist where users can choose their Job Levels. But each Job Level has a different set of Job Roles underneath it.

How do you use controlling fields to streamline this large picklist you want to create?

You will first create two separate fields – Job Level and Job Roles. Now, you will create field dependencies between these two separate fields to link them together.

The more dominant field is Job Level since the other fields’ contents will be dependent upon it.

Hence, you can classify Industry as your Controlling Field. It controls the contents of the other fields where it is linked to.

Your Job Roles filed will then become the Dependent Field; its contents are dependent upon the values listed under the Controlling Field. You now populate your Job Roles field with values related to your Job Level fields

You can refer to this table for few more examples of the controlling and dependent fields.

How to create a Field Dependency?

To create a field dependency, you can follow the below steps:

1. From Left Nav Menu, click Setup > Field Management.   
2. On the Field Management page, click Field Dependencies.   
3. On the Field Dependencies page, click New Field Dependency.   
4. Select the field value from the drop-down list for the Controlling Field. Note: The created custom lead field and Field Type - Picklist is displayed, you can refer to Adding a Custom Lead Field (picklist) document.
   
   
5. Select the field value from the drop-down list for the Dependent Field. Note: The created custom lead fields and Field Type - Picklist is displayed, you can refer to Adding a Custom Lead Field (picklist) document.
   
   
6. Click Continue.   
7. The Edit Field Dependency page is displayed with the Controlling Fields and Dependent Fields Note: You can select 1 or more dependent values for a controlling field.
    
8. On the Edit Field Dependency page, you can check box the dependent fields for the controlling fields. Click Save.

    

    Note: If no dependent values are selected for a controlling field, the below message is displayed.   
9. The created Field Dependencies are displayed on the Field Dependencies page.