Display fixed list values from external source

[Sparkblender]

Hello!

I'd like a fixed list, for a particular shape data field (e.g. "Entity"), to be populated from external data (e.g. Excel):

http://screencast.com/t/QnIZlH6F

In other words: 
instead of defining the list values in the Define Data like this:
http://screencast.com/t/524PPbRh5M

i'm looking for something more like this:
http://screencast.com/t/4Ye6XzfwR

where "=ENTITY" represents the link to the external list of possible values.

Is this possible?  Any ideas for alternatives?

Thanks for your comments!

[Yacine]

You may add a field "Entities", in which you'd store the values for the list. This field can be filled from an external source.
In the format cell of the "Entity" field, you will need to reference the value of "Entities". (Format = prop.Entities).


Regards,
Y.

[ss32]

OP, did you ever get this working?  I need the same thing.  I have multiple entries in an excel sheet that need to populate a dropdown list

[Yacine]

Easy:
prop.A: gets it value from the excel sheet. eg: "1;2;3". You may set it as invisible.
prop.B: has its field type set to "fixed list" and its format field to "prop.A".
That's it.

[wapperdude]

Dusting off an old post, http://visguy.com/vgforum/index.php?topic=5902.0 with responses from Yacine and Jumpy and others, the following attachment demonstrates how an external data list can be referenced for a shape data list.

There are two implementations.  Both reference the same external data source.  The "April" shape is a little more methodical, but requires the data shape to "assemble" the data entries into a catenated list.  The "Alfredo" shape takes the data entries and assembles the list internally. 

HTH
Wapperdude