Multiple select box challenge - switching content

select boxes switching content in other select boxes

[WyrmEye]

Greetings! (yup, another newbie) I've been doing static HTML for a couple of years on our corporate intranet, but now they want an application.

I need to be able to filter down a lot of database information, and they would like select boxes. The indexing in the database is rather helter skelter, and not all data is appropriate, so they want TWO select boxes. The content of the second list is switched based on the first selection. Then the whole package has to go into an SQL query (which seems to be working okay - I can add another form variable with no problem).

OR if there is an easier way to filter some of this DB stuff out (considering Master/Detail Page - Dreamweaver MX)

I can't find any reference to this in either VB or JS books I have. I'm guessing its a lot of IFs, and I haven't had to go that route before.

I can go either VB or JS - since its a new project and I'm equally challenged in either one.

Any thoughts?

[tedster]

My first thought is that changing the choices in the second box dynamically may be more trouble than it is worth. Would a two step approach be acceptable?

I mean, the user makes their choice on a first dropdown list and then you give them a new page with the appropriate group of second choices.

Also, I'm wondering about the database indexing - if this is to be a widely used app, couldn't new more appropriate indexes be built, eliminating the need for two boxes and also speeding up the app as a result?

[rcjordan]

There is a js which modifies the 2nd box based on the selection made in the primary one. See your stickymail for the url of a site using it.

[WyrmEye]

RCJordan: thanks for the URL - will visit soon.

Tedster: the problem is this ties into our legacy CRM database spaghetti. We're trying to set this up for customers to view the FAQs straight from our database, so we field fewer Tech Support calls. And there are products in there and other options that should NOT be in the selections. I can't go and start editing the table without congressional approval, so I'm trying to find a way to grab just what I need.

Whether the contents of the dropdowns come from the database (way more tricky) or hard coded, a 2-step approach might work well enough. Unfortunately this is my first stab at .ASP and it's more than I thought it would be...