Altering reference table format in SQLFORM

[David Orme]

I'm sure I'm missing something obvious but I am trying to alter the representation of a referenced field in a SQLFORM and failing hopelessly (Web2Py 2.20.4 on Python 3.7.7). The two tables involved are:

db.define_table('markers',
                Field('first_name','string'),
                Field('last_name','string'),
                Field('email', 'string', requires=IS_EMAIL()),
                format='%(first_name)s %(last_name)s')

db.define_table('assignments',
                Field('student_first_name','string', notnull=True),
                Field('student_last_name','string', notnull=True),
                Field('marker','reference markers'))

Most of the time, I want marker names as "John Smith", so have set that as the format in the model. However in a SQLFORM to create a new assignment, I want the dropdown to be "Smith, Bob (b...@smith.org)", to make it easier to find people. So:

def new_assignment():
   
    db.markers._format = '%(last_name)s, %(first_name)s (%(email)s)'
   
    form = SQLFORM(db.assignments)
   
    if form.process().accepted:
        response.flash = 'Assignment created'
        redirect(URL('assignments'))
   
    return dict(form=form)

But that does not change what appears in the SQLFORM dropdown menu for marker. If I swap the format string in the model, yup, exactly as expected, but it doesn't seem to be respecting the local redefinition.

[villas]

Off the top of my head, maybe these ideas would put you on a better track...  :)

1.  The reference field has a default validator, try changing it to something like this:

db.assignments.marker.requires = IS_IN_DB(db, 'markers.id', '%(last_name)s, %(first_name)s (%(email)s)')

2. Check out the .represent attribute


 

[David Orme]

Thanks! I had played with the represent attribute, with no success, but using that first option within the controller works. Changing the validator seems a bit over the top just to change the format, but it works!

[AGRogers]

I just tried the format option change to the table to see if it worked for me... but it didn't. Thanks Villas for the 'requires' tip. I am sure i will need that knowledge at some point..

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