#ELI5: How do I make a functional drop down menu?

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

frozen saffron
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Hello!

I'm really new to HA but getting the hang of it.

Just downloaded this add-on (https://github.com/savdagod/TidbytAssistant) to send text to my TIDBYT (digital display).

I was able to make a card to allow me to manually type text in and send it to the device.

`type: custom:notify-card

label: Enter text

card_title: Send a Message!

notification_title: null

action: tidbytassistant.text

data:

message: $MSG

font: tb-8

color: '#fff'

content: $MSG

texttype: scrolling

devicename: devicenamehere
`
Works great!

Within the add-on functionality, you can change the font, text type, and text color.

So far I know I have to use this: For example for font: “{{states(‘input_select.tidbyt_font’)}}” I just don't know where to put this, where to put in the options, how to make it work, etc.

I would like to add 3 drop down menus to allow me to change these settings within this same card. I understand I need to use input select / helpers / template select but I'm unsure how to set it up.

If someone could point me in the right direction that would be awesome. Thanks!

onyx portal
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Dropdowns are input_selects or select entities

frozen saffron
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Ok, so how do I proceed from there?

onyx portal
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what do you mean?

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Oh, I see what you're saying. The notify card would need to support templates

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if it does not, then you'd need to use a custom card that allows you to template other cards

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if it still works, it's called "Config template card"

frozen saffron
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I don’t get where am I supposed to setup the code for the input select and how to make it functional

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Do I do it in just config.yaml

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input_select:
font: "Ifstates(input_select.tidbyt_font)}"
name: TIDBYT Font options:

  • "tb-8"
  • "Dina_r400-6"
  • "5x8"
  • "6x13"
  • "10x20"
  • "tom-thumb"
  • "CG-pixel-3x5-mono"
  • "CG-pixel-4x5-mono"
    icon: fas:font
onyx portal
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you can create the options in the UI

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you don't need to create it in yaml

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and to use the code, the card you're placing the information into needs to allow templates. I.e. {{ ... }}

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if the field does not allow templates, you need to use a custom card that allows templating any field

frozen saffron
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Ohhh okay, just to clarify: I make it in a custom card and it’ll check the options with the code to change the font type or color or whatever setting option?

frozen saffron
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I tihnk I'm getting confused because everytime I search in Google, I come up with the page for input select (https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/input_select/) and helpers, but I'm not trying to do this within an automation. I just want the ability to select a different font or color from the drop down menu, then type my text, then send.

Also, can I just make the drop downs in Helpers and then make a card with them?

onyx portal
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I'm not sure how else I can word this

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There is only 1 way to do this, and I've described it 3 times now

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  1. Create an input select
  2. Attempt to use the input_select in your font field using a template.
  3. If 2 doesn't work, then you need to add a custom card that allows you to template any field inside cards.
    3a. If you added the custom card, attempt to use the input_select with the custom card you chose, again using a template.
frozen saffron
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Ok, I think I got it. I watched a video that explained it a little as well. Let me give it a try and I’ll come back with my results 🫡