# External\_choice

**URL:** <https://forum.getodk.org/t/external-choice/5115>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [December 22, 2015, 12:35pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/external-choice/5115 "2015-12-22T12:35:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lizzie1](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/ce7236/32.png) [@Lizzie1](https://forum.getodk.org/u/Lizzie1)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2015, 12:35pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/external-choice/5115/1 "2015-12-22T12:35:53Z")

</div>

Hi I can't seem to get this component to work.

I followed the instructions and copied the example layout as given on [http://xlsform.org/#external](http://xlsform.org/#external), however when I convert the excel file to X form the following error appears

Error: [row : 3] List name not in choices sheet: group\_id  
[row : 3] select one external is only meant for filtered selects.

The aim is that I have up to 60 groups. In each group there are about 40 members. I need to record answers from each member in all the groups.

Do I need to use cascading sheets, external sheets or what other option is there?

Thanks in advance  
Lizzie

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mitch\_S](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Mitch\_S](https://forum.getodk.org/u/Mitch_S)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2015, 7:08pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/external-choice/5115/2 "2015-12-22T19:08:18Z")

</div>

You are more likely to get assistance if you create and attach a simplified  
form (with as few prompts as possible) that illustrates the problem you are  
having.

> **···**
>
> On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 4:35 AM, wrote:
> 
> > Hi I can't seem to get this component to work.
> > 
> > I followed the instructions and copied the example layout as given on  
> > [http://xlsform.org/#external](http://xlsform.org/#external), however when I convert the excel file to X  
> > form the following error appears
> > 
> > Error: [row : 3] List name not in choices sheet: group\_id  
> > [row : 3] select one external is only meant for filtered selects.
> > 
> > The aim is that I have up to 60 groups. In each group there are about 40  
> > members. I need to record answers from each member in all the groups.
> > 
> > Do I need to use cascading sheets, external sheets or what other option is  
> > there?
> > 
> > Thanks in advance  
> > Lizzie
> > 
> > ## --
> > 
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> --  
> Mitch Sundt  
> Software Engineer  
> University of Washington  
> [mitchellsundt@gmail.com](mailto:mitchellsundt@gmail.com)