How can I bring the label value from my ref into a concatenated Virtual Column?

[Austin]

I have a [Status] column that is a reference to another table that just converts numbers to text and allows my users to create their own status values/change what it says for a particular status. I want to have a header in my details view that is Label of status and Current Application date combined. If I just [Status]&" "&[Application Date] I get “5 8/20/2020” instead of “Reviewing 8/20/2020”.
I know this is the valid behavior but is there a way to get the label when I’m using the value somewhere else instead of having a lookup to get the label?

[Bellave_Jayaram]

Try

[Status][LabelColumn]&" "&[Application Date]

`

[Marc_Dillon · Accepted solution]

Bellave_Jayaram:

[Status][LabelColumn]&" "&[Application Date]

Don’t forget the period for the dereference.

[Status].[LabelColumn]&" "&[Application Date]

help.appsheet.com

Dereference Expressions

Use a dereference expression to retrieve a field value from a referenced record.

[Steve]

Austin_Lambeth:

I know this is the valid behavior but is there a way to get the label when I’m using the value somewhere else instead of having a lookup to get the label?

As suggested by @Bellave_Jayaram’s and @Marc_Dillon’s responses, the answer to this specific question is no: in an expression, you cannot get the label without doing a lookup.

[Austin]

WAIT WHAT. How have I used appsheet for probably a year now and never seen this deference expressions???

@Steve are you saying the dereference is functionally a lookup?

[Steve]

Austin_Lambeth:

are you saying the dereference is functionally a lookup?

Yeah. Past comments from developers suggest dereferences are more efficient than LOOKUP() and the like, though, so dereferences should be preferred.

[Austin]

It could be equal in efficiency just for the shear shortening of my statements where I need to get something that I have the key for lol if it has a performance increase that’s the frosting to my cake