Need suggestions on setting up directory

[SouthpawK]

Hello,

I want to use one of my instances of Dynamics to set up a directory of sorts. In this thread (http://www.vbadvanced.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31074) I previously posted, Kevin suggested I use Dynamics so here I am.

However, layout has changed a bit from that post. What I want to do is to set up a nationwide directory. There will be different main catagorys such as automotive, food and drink, etc. Then those catagorys will have I guess sub catagorys under them such as; automotive - repairs, leasing, rental, etc.

OK, that is all fine and I can do that part. But...I also need a way for them to be broke down and searchable by state.

So, I am looking for suggestions how to do this without entering all the states with all the catagorys in each. Can I add like prefixes for the users to choose from for their state when submiting a link to a catagory? Would that work?

Ideally, when users search for automotive repair shops, they can have a search option to search in their state.

Any ideas or guidance on how to do this without entering all my catagorys into each state? I hope I am making sense in what I am trying to do and that someone can led the way to do it. Or am I asking too much of Dynamics?

All help is appreciated

[Brian]

Sounds like the best way would be to add a new "Select Menu" custom field with a list of all the states. Then when you're submitting the entry just choose the state in the custom field and as long as the 'Field is searchable' option is enabled for that custom field then you'll be able to limit search results and such by state.

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[SouthpawK]

Thanks Brian,

OK, that sounds like it will work just fine. But let me see if I understand...when users search for say a car repair shop then they will have the option to search in thier state but the listing itself will still be in the automotive repair catagory with all the others no matter what state they are in. Is that correct? That will work :)

Thanks for the help

[Brian]

Sounds like you've got it. :) The custom field for the state won't affect anything with the entry other than just showing the state it's in. As long as that custom field is marked as searchable then it'll appear as a choice to limit entries by on the "advanced search" page, and you can also edit the settings for your search module to enable that custom field in the 'Custom Fields to Display' setting.

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[SouthpawK]

Thanks Brian

You're the best! ;)