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Using Select inputs to edit your data

These inputs are for values from a fixed or dynamic set of options. Useful for linking across pages, collections and data sets.

Select

Single value select input for values from a set of options.

Select inputs are shown for inputs configured with the type select, or for input keys matching or ending with the singular form of a data set key (e.g. color or my_color for data set colors).

Color select input
SSG select input
Naming convention 
color: Red
ssg: jekyll
_select_data:
  colors:
    - Red
    - Blue
  ssgs:
    jekyll: Jekyll
    hugo: Hugo
    11ty: Eleventy
Input configuration 
spare_part: Bolt
_inputs:
  spare_part:
    type: select
    options:
      values:
        - Bolt
        - Nut
        - Gear

Multiselect

Multiple value select input for values from a set of options.

Multiselect inputs are shown for inputs configured with the type multiselect, or for input keys matching or ending with a data set key (e.g. colors or my_colors for data set colors).

SSG multiselect input
Color multiselect input
Naming convention 
colors:
  - Red
ssgs:
 - hugo
 - 11ty
_select_data:
  colors:
    - Red
    - Blue
  ssgs:
    jekyll: Jekyll
    hugo: Hugo
    11ty: Eleventy
Input configuration 
spare_parts:
  - Bolt
_inputs:
  spare_part:
    type: multiselect
    options:
      values:
        - Bolt
        - Nut
        - Gear

Options

Select and Multiselect input options are configured with options inside an _inputs entry.

Input configuration 
items:
  - P1
_inputs:
  items:
    type: multiselect
    options:
      values: _select_data.inventory
      value_key: key
      text_key: display_name
_select_data:
  inventory:
    - key: P1
      display_name: Potion
      kind: consumable

Select and Multiselect inputs have the following options available:

values - Array, object or string

Defines the values available to choose from. Optional, defaults to fetching values from the naming convention (e.g. colors or my_colors for data set colors).

If set as an object or an array, the values are used directly.

If set as a string, the values are fetched from the referenced data set.

value_key - String or array of strings

Defines the key used for mapping between saved values and objects in values. This changes how the input saves selected values to match. Defaults to ['id', 'uuid', 'path', 'title', 'name']. Has no effect unless values is an array of objects, the key is used instead for objects, and the value itself is used for primitive types.

If set as an array, keys are tried in order, until a non-empty value is found. If no keys are set for a value available, the value available is not included.

If set as a string, this key is used directly. Values available are excluded if they don’t have a value for this key.

text_key - String

Controls what key within an object value is used for the display text in the selected values and values available. Defaults to title, then name. Has no effect unless the available or selected value is an object. If the value is a primitive type, it is used directly.

allow_create - Boolean

Allows new text values to be created at edit time. Defaults to false. Has no effect on select inputs.

allow_empty - Boolean

Provides an empty option alongside the options provided by values. Defaults to true. Has no effect on multiselect inputs.

Important

Sites created before 25 November 2021 have a different default for saving collection items in order to keep existing sites working. Create a new site, or get in touch with support if you wish to update this for your site.

Data sets

There are currently three sources for populating the options for a select or multiselect input:

  • Fixed data sets
  • Collection items
  • Data files

You can populate the available options for a select or multiselect with a naming convention or set it explicitly with the input configuration options.values.

Input configuration 
spare_part: Bolt
_inputs:
  spare_part:
    type: select
    options:
      values:
        - Bolt
        - Nut
        - Gear

In addition to having options.values contain values directly as seen above, you can refer to one of the three available sources. Here’s how you can refer to a collection called bits_and_pieces:

Input configuration 
spare_part: Bolt
_inputs:
  spare_part:
    type: select
    options:
      values: collections.bits_and_pieces

You can refer to fixed data sets and data files in a similar way by changing the prefix. For example: data.inventory and _select_data.spare_parts.

Fixed data sets

Fixed data sets are defined in _select_data from the configuration cascade. Best suited when providing options that do not change as content is added or removed.

Collection items

Collection items are files from your defined collections. Best suited when you need to select from pages or other content files created by team members.

By default, when you save a value populated from a collection, CloudCannon saves the path without the extension inside the collection folder (e.g. choosing /staff_members/jane.md in a staff_member input saves the value jane). You can use this value to map to the linked collection item in your templates.

Data files

Data files are similar to collections, usually a reserved collection for your SSG. Best suited when you need the available options editable by team members.

Processed data file sets must be arrays of strings, or objects. The value saved is either the string for arrays, or the key for objects.

By default, CloudCannon does not read data files during your build. To use this option source, instruct CloudCannon to read it by defining your data.

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