(New) Select (Multiple) Field & Table Renderer

Pick several options from a select list at once — in layer fields and table columns.

The Select (Multiple) field works like an ordinary select field, except users can choose more than one option. It is available both as a layer field and as a table column, and it remembers selections in the exact order the user picked them.


Table of Contents

  1. Key Features
  2. For Designers — adding a Select (Multiple) field or column
  3. For Users — choosing options
  4. How It Works
  5. 🚀 How to Participate in the Preview

Key Features

Audience: Template Designers, Researchers

Interface: Chemotion ELN / Generic Template Designer

  • Multiple picks: Choose several options from one select list, instead of being limited to a single value.
  • Two homes, one behaviour: The same control renders as a layer field and as a table cell, so the experience is identical in both.
  • Order preserved: Selections are stored and shown in the order they were picked — not re-sorted by the option list.
  • Compact display: The first 2 picks show inline as chips; the rest collapse into a +N button that opens the full list in a popover for review and removal.
  • Self-healing data: If an option (or an entire list) is later deleted, stored picks that reference what’s gone are cleaned up automatically — no dangling values left behind.

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For Designers — adding a Select (Multiple) field or column

  1. Add a field — or, in a table, add a column — and set its type to Select (Multiple).
  2. Point its option source at a select list (the same select lists single-select fields use). The field or column then offers every option from that list.
  3. Good to know — automatic cleanup. If you later delete an option from the list, or delete the whole list, any already-stored picks that reference what’s gone are removed automatically, so saved data never points at options that no longer exist.

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For Users — choosing options

  • Click the field or cell to open the dropdown, then click each option you want. Re-open and click again to add or change picks; use clear-all to empty it.
  • Chosen options appear as chips. To keep the layout compact, the first 2 picks show inline and the rest collapse into a +N button — click it to see the full list in a popover and remove individual items there.
  • The chips stay in the order you selected them.

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How It Works

  • One control, two homes. The same multi-select control renders in a layer field and in a table cell, so the experience is consistent everywhere.
  • Picked order is the stored order. The value is the list of picks in selection order; the display rebuilds the chips from that stored order rather than re-sorting by the option list.
  • Compact by default. Two chips show inline and the remainder collapse behind a +N popover, so dense layouts and table rows stay readable.
  • Self-healing data. When an option or an entire list is removed, stored picks are filtered against the current options, so a template change never leaves dangling values behind.

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Note: This feature is currently in preview and may undergo further refinements based on user feedback.


🚀 How to Participate in the Preview

Follow these steps to explore the new features and share your insight:

  1. 🖥️ Visit the Staging Instance
    Access the preview environment at: labimotion-stage.ibcs.kit.edu

  2. 🔍 Explore and Test
    Try out the enhancements — see how they fit your workflow.

  3. ❤️ Your Feedback Matters
    Share your comments or report any issues in our GitHub Discussion Thread.

We appreciate your help in testing these new features!

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