InfoQube IM - Community

Submitted by Jon on 2011/03/24 09:13

Is there any way to improve the performance when using pull down lists in columns? Using a mouse or touchpad seems to be a hit or miss affair. I frequently need three clicks to activate the drop down list and a fourth to select. This feature does not behave as in other programs where it is easier by far and much more responsive.

Jon

Comments

Hi Jon, Here it works well, but a bit sluggish. - 1 click to enter edit mode in a cell ("caret" mouse cursor needs to be visible : this indicates that 1 click will put you in editing mode, otherwise, if you try to achieve that when your mouse is in "selection" mode (arrow cursor), it'll take a double click to get you into... editing mode) - 1 click on the arrow button to see the dropdown/calendar, or whatever. Hitting F2 2 times (first one to enter edit mode, second time to trigger the "drop down") works well too. I don't know why the GUI is sluggish though. What is it that you don't find intuitive ? the 2 modes (selection and edition?) P.S. : just in case you wonder why hitting F2 2 times, or clicking 2 times. Well, sometimes (maybe often, depending on the field) you don't want to see the drop down but want/need to edit the cell directly. It would be annoying to always discard the dropdown when one wants to directly edit a cell.

[quote=Armando] Well, sometimes (maybe often, depending on the field) you don't want to see the drop down but want/need to edit the cell directly. It would be annoying to always discard the dropdown when one wants to directly edit a cell.[/quote]

Thinking out loud here:

I found this behaviour initially confusing as well, I wonder would it be better if the drop-down came on the first F2 - and the second F2 gave you the field to edit, without drop-down.

I mean if it's a drop-down field, I think people will mostly want to get to that first **

Of course I'm not sure if that's possible but that's another story

** one could argue the same for date fields and the "drop-down" calender

Interesting... in v0.9.25N, we'll try this, to see if it is more intuitive:

F2 will open dropdown when applicable
Shift+F2 opens the editing box
Ctrl+F2 just enters edit
When editing or in a dropdown, F2 exits editing

Idealy, when the dropdown is shown, the focus should stay in the edit box (much like in many modern web pages). However, there is a long standing issue with the grid, in that it cannot keep editing when loosing focus.

HTH

> Idealy, when the dropdown is shown, the focus should stay in the edit box

> (much like in many modern web pages). However, there is a long standing

> issue with the grid, in that it cannot keep editing when loosing focus.

Not sure I fully understand the issue with the grid - currently, when the drop-down list shows, the cell has focus and is in edit mode; mind you that is after going into edit mode first...

Anyways, this sounds interesting:

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

Interesting... in v0.9.25N, we'll try this, to see if it is more intuitive:

F2 will open dropdown when applicable
Shift+F2 opens the editing box
Ctrl+F2 just enters edit
When editing or in a dropdown, F2 exits editing [/quote]

[quote=Tom]

Not sure I fully understand the issue with the grid - currently, when the drop-down list shows, the cell has focus and is in edit mode; mind you that is after going into edit mode first...

[/quote]

Hi Tom,

It depends on the dropdown type. Date, Auto-list have this problem

I would rather see something that already exists elsewhere in IQ. When you filter using columns an list appears. There is an opportunity to insert a typed entry at the bottom. Other drop down lists have the list appear with a blank space to make a manual entry on top. But it is the same idea, just the placement of the editing area is different. This would obviate the need for combinations of F2 presses or mouse combinations to accomplish different things. The override would remain under manage fields where you could instruct IQ to use only the entries in the original list.

Jon

I like this suggestion, making things look uniform is definitely an area where IQ needs improvement

Let me get v0.9.25N out and I'll look into improving on this

Thank you. I hope you can get this accomplished soon. I use lists quite a lot for quick data entry and the current implementation slows me down and introduces some stumbles. I agree that IQ would benefit from uniformity in appearance and operation.

Jon

What I would consider easiest to use, would be if F2 opened the drop-down AND put the field in edit mode - as in screenshot.

Arrow key would bring you down the list, enter select an entry.

It couldnt be simpler than that (for the user!)

I dont think it's necessary to modify it otherwise.

(not sure if the wikitag field is the best example, but it gets the idea across)

I agree with Tom. All other programs I am familiar with are more immediate when it comes to the drop down boxes. Some permanently display the down caret and you just click on that. Others (Ecco) don't display the caret, but once you click in the box or press enter, the drop down opens. These are really fast, consistent and responsive. IQ's implementation seems cumbersome to me and is just plain sluggish.

Jon