# Dropdowns and .toString() in Formulas

**URL:** <https://community.fibery.io/t/dropdowns-and-tostring-in-formulas/1014>\
**Category:** Get Help\
**Created:** [September 28, 2020, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.fibery.io/t/dropdowns-and-tostring-in-formulas/1014 "2020-09-28T20:58:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![acrob0t](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/community.fibery.io/acrob0t/32/859_2.png) [@acrob0t](https://community.fibery.io/u/acrob0t)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2020, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.fibery.io/t/dropdowns-and-tostring-in-formulas/1014/1 "2020-09-28T20:58:00Z")

</div>

I tried creating a formula field to link to Google Maps but got hung-up on using a dropdown menu item in the formula.

For data integrity, I try and use as many “fixed” option data points as possible when building a data system. It helps reduce user error in free text inputs. In this case, I used a dropdown menu for US states, then tried to use that in a formula, but could not.

Next I tried creating a “dummy” field with `state.toString()` and planned on calling the dummy field in the Google Maps formula, but that did not work either.

Do the text formulas not support dropdown fields and/or `.toString()` or am I have I missed something?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Chr1sG](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/community.fibery.io/chr1sg/32/3941_2.png) [@Chr1sG](https://community.fibery.io/u/Chr1sG)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2020, 11:20pm UTC](https://community.fibery.io/t/dropdowns-and-tostring-in-formulas/1014/2 "2020-09-28T23:20:07Z")

</div>

If you have used a single select field for the dropdown list of states, you can return a string corresponding to the selected option using .Name  
So, for example  
State is the name of a single select field (with 50 choices I guess!)  
In a formula field you can use State.Name to return a string with the state name.  
Is this what you meant?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Chr1sG](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/community.fibery.io/chr1sg/32/3941_2.png) [@Chr1sG](https://community.fibery.io/u/Chr1sG)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 7:55am UTC](https://community.fibery.io/t/dropdowns-and-tostring-in-formulas/1014/3 "2020-09-29T07:55:38Z")

</div>

Here’s a quick demo app, if that helps:

> **[Fibery | Start for free, upgrade when you love it](https://shared.fibery.io/sign-up?appShareId=f661ac47-1454-49b4-8891-6454229a03be-geography)**
>
> Create a Fibery account to replace isolated tools and bring everyone together.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Haslien](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/community.fibery.io/haslien/32/493_2.png) [@Haslien](https://community.fibery.io/u/Haslien)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2020, 11:32am UTC](https://community.fibery.io/t/dropdowns-and-tostring-in-formulas/1014/4 "2020-09-29T11:32:31Z")

</div>

Sounds like you’re having problems in the output composing formula where you combine the various text and number fields?

If numbers are involved, then no you cannot mix that with string (_yet_). I already made the request and it’s coming soon™.

> [@\[✔️ DONE\] Formula: numbers + text](https://community.fibery.io/t/formula-numbers-text/1006):
>
> I have found a need for combining text and int inside the a formula to create a string output. My specific case is just a text version of “% complete”, but both numbers are of interest. Orders.Filter(State.Final = true).Count() + " of " + Orders.Count() For now I’ll have to separate them in to two different fields.

Worst case if you _need_ it **now** , then a solution with a button can be used. Click to generate.