Value lists troubleshooting
During data entry, a value list may not work or display data as you expect it to. If you’re having trouble with a value list, review the following troubleshooting tips.
Value list is blank; checkboxes or radio buttons do not display
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Be sure the field is formatted to display a value list. In Layout mode, select the field. In the Inspector, click Data, then set Control style options in the Field area.
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If the values are from a field in another table, check the relationship (make sure it is valid and contains values). For more information, see About relationships.
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If the value list uses values from another file, the file may have been moved or renamed, or your access privileges may not allow you to access it.
Items or characters are missing from the value list
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If the value list is obtaining its values from a field, make sure the field type matches the values you’ve entered. For example, if a number field contains values without numeric data, these values won’t be indexed, and any value list based on that field won’t display the non-numeric values.
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If the value list is defined to display information from two fields, items will not be duplicated for the field on which the value list is sorted. For example, if the value list displays information from the Company field and the Name field, and if the values are sorted by the Company field, only one person from each company will appear in the value list.
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If certain characters within value list items are missing or display as squares, make sure the font you select for the field object is capable of displaying all the characters in your value list, particularly if your values contain multiple languages or character sets. For more information, see Specifying text formats for fields.
Error: Invalid Value List Usage
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If a field is formatted to use an external value list that is defined to use related values, the field and value list must be defined in the same file. The field must be a related field from the same file.
Value list displays <no values defined>
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If the value list uses values from a field in another file, the file has been moved or renamed or your access privileges don’t allow you to access it.
Related topics 
Defining value lists
Setting up a field to display a pop-up menu, checkbox set, or other control
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