Improved drop down selector for inputs, variables, filters, subpath, and more

Hey there! Xano has just launched a significant enhancement to its drop-down selector feature, making it more intuitive, cleaner, and time-saving. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the new improvements and how you can use them to streamline your workflow.

Autocomplete and Type Detection

One of the most exciting new features is the autocomplete functionality, which not only saves you time but also helps prevent errors. When you start typing in values, the drop-down selector will automatically detect the data type and provide relevant suggestions.

For example, if you're creating a new variable and start typing numbers, the selector will recognize it as an integer. If you add a decimal point, it will switch to a decimal data type. If you switch back to letters, it will revert to text. It even recognizes Boolean values like `true` or `false`.

To try it out, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the "Data Manipulation" section.
2. Click on "Create Variable."
3. Start typing in the desired value, and observe how the drop-down selector automatically detects the data type and provides relevant suggestions.

JSON and Array Input

Another fantastic addition is the ability to input JSON or array values directly into the text line without needing to go through the "Import JSON" process. This streamlines your workflow and saves you time.

Here's how you can use it:

1. Go to the variable creation section.
2. Start typing in your JSON or array value, for example, `[1, 2, 3, 4]`.
3. The drop-down selector will recognize the input as an array or JSON.
4. Hit "Import," and the value will be automatically parsed and displayed in the editor.

Improved Sub-Path Selection

Xano has also overhauled the sub-path selection feature, making it more user-friendly and efficient. Now, when you need to select a sub-path from a data table, you can simply click on the desired field, and Xano will generate the dot notation for you.

To try it out:

1. Create a new variable and select the data table you want to work with (e.g., the "user" table).
2. Paste the sub-path you want to access into the input field.
3. Click "Define," and the sub-path will be displayed in a clickable view.
4. Navigate through the sub-path by clicking on the desired fields.
5. Xano will automatically generate the dot notation for the selected sub-path.

Faster Filtering and Searching

Finally, the filtering and searching capabilities within the drop-down selector have been improved for better performance. You can now search and filter through options more quickly, saving you valuable time.

Give these new features a try and let us know what you think! We're excited to hear your feedback and continue enhancing Xano to make your experience even better.

Happy coding (or no-coding)!