If you are creating a list of choices for a parameter drop-down list, you can acquire the choices from several sources:
- Manually enter the choices in the list (static and least exciting of all of the options)
- Append a unique list of choices derived from a field in the database (static)
- Point to a database field for available existing choices (dynamic)
- Import items from a text file (static)
Each of the options has their pros and cons. If you are trying to generate a list that is unlikely to change (like a list of states in the USA) and you need to ensure all options are made available from Day 1, the first option of manually entering all of the choices is the typical approach.
But what if all of those choices exist in another report or file? In this case, the ability to import list selections has great appeal.