What It Does

Joomla Component Builder (JCB) allows you to connect views and fields across your component using dynamic models that feature modals and selectors. These dynamic model integrations enable:

• Select fields that open modals to pick a related record
• Subform relationships between two Admin Views
• Seamless linkage between items (e.g., users, tags, categories, custom views)

These selectors make use of JCB’s internal mapping system to generate the necessary queries, models, and form field types — reducing development overhead.

Types of Supported Model Linkage

• Modal Selectors: Trigger a pop-up modal from a select/dropdown field to browse and select a related record.
• AJAX Selectors: Fetch remote records on-the-fly as you type.
• Subform Selectors: Embed another view as a nested structure (e.g., child items inside a parent).
• Multi-select linking: Select multiple related entities from another model.

Where You Configure This

Inside the Field entity (usually with field type custom_modal or ajax selector), define:

• The source view/component being linked
• The method for retrieving and displaying related data
• Any restrictions (filter by category, published only, etc.)
• The display template used inside the modal

Use Cases

• Associate a Product with a Manufacturer using a modal selector
• Add nested Address entries to a User profile via subform
• Use AJAX-powered selectors to connect large datasets (e.g., select Tags or Users dynamically)
• Build complex relationships like many-to-many via hidden join tables and selectors

Benefits

• ✅ Visual linking of models and records
• ✅ Cleaner forms with intelligent selection UX
• ✅ No need to hand-code joins or modal logic
• ✅ Scalable UI even for large datasets
• ✅ Works seamlessly with Dynamic GETs, ACL, and form validation

Conclusion

Modals and dynamic model selectors bring relationship management to life in Joomla — enabling components that feel interactive, relational, and deeply integrated. JCB provides the backend logic, model access, and frontend UI all from one place — so you focus on the design, not the boilerplate.