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Submitted by viking on 2017/02/18 18:15

Sorry for trivial questions;

I created a new database with sample date. I guess that it used a layout that I had used with another database.

See the video link in reference to my questions below:

1. Sorting 5. Sorting and Grouping Items) I see that the items are not sorted by Item [text] but by "lastcallnbdays descr" (whatever that is). When I look at the sort "button" it says "sort items". Why aren't they sorted? There is also something called 'Source Items Sort". What is that (it is not covered in the help file)? It is blank for me.

2. Alpha-numeric filter 2. Filtering : I activate the Alpha-numeric filter, and click on "M" now only items starting with "M" are shown. I now want to type in "Mary" in the filter-box, but then the grid just flickers and it is not possible to enter any text. Why not?

3. Is it possible to attach an alpha filter to the address book? I prefer to have a separate filter attached to each View (or it it called Grid?)? I realize that it takes up more space but I prefer it that way - like in Ecco.

Comments

[quote=viking]

1. Sorting (http://www.sqlnotes.net/drupal5/index.php?q=node/864): I see that the items are not sorted by Item [text] but by "lastcallnbdays descr" (whatever that is). When I look at the sort "button" it says "sort items". Why aren't they sorted?

[/quote]

You can choose 'Sort items' or 'Sort items and sub-items' i.e. they are options as opposed to commands.

(This is not fully clear from the menu you looked at.)

I'd recommend going for the 'Sortbar' option there: it will show on top of the grid, showing clearly what fields the grid is sorted by. Drag a (field) column header to the bar to sort by it. Drag them left and right to affect which gets priority ('Project' in the shot below). I think it's fairly intuitive.

Edit// 'Cat' (for Category) is actually superfluous in the above sort -- would only change the sort if dragged to the left of ItemCreated.Hopefully that helps give a sense of the bar.

@Tom,

I realize that the sortbar is another option, and maybe the preferred one.

However, I just don't understand why it doesn't work when "Sort items" is selected. I also don't understand the purpose of "'Source Items Sort", and why it is currently sorted by "lastcallnbdays descr",. Where is that specified?

I'm not able to fully answer right now, but remember that in IQ, item refer to the thing, not to the item text column. So "sort items" says nothing as to what is the sort criteria

Pierre_Admin

IQ Designer

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

I'm not able to fully answer right now, but remember that in IQ, item refer to the thing, not to the item text column. So "sort items" says nothing as to what is the sort criteria

Pierre_Admin

IQ Designer

[/quote]

Yes, and I assume that the sort criteria is controlled by 'Source Items Sort" (?). However, that is blank for me.

Looking forward to answers to #1-3 when you have time (I assume that you are working on trying to complete version 0.9.92...)

I am dazzled that you don't seem to grasp such a fundamental thing about IQ after so many posts on the forum...

Go through the documentation and try to figure out things for yourself for some time, you might be surprised. I know I was. IQ seems daunting, but really isn't if some thought is put into the process of figuring it out.

Of course I could have written a post that reiterates the topics from the documentation but I value my time which you don't seem to.

[quote=ethanrox]

I am dazzled that you. . . [/quote]

you'll have to be a least a little dazzled by me then as well, as I dont know what 'Source Items Sort' is either, and as Viking says, it is not explained in the documentation.

And, yes, one could, & should be able to figure out how to do a sort from the documentation, but a post like this is invaluable imo as it show up weakness in the GUI, both in terms of clarity, and in terms of easily/intuitively clearing the Sortbox (as I say in my post below).

This weakness has been already acknowledged in past forum posts/threads.

I suggest looking for answers in the forum, and not just the documentation. This has helped me personally a lot and prevented me from asking questions that have already been asked AND answered.

Humm... Calm down guys.

I'll look again at the documentation, but page 5. Sorting and Grouping Items has been updated recently. If it needs improvements, I'll work on it, no problem.

That said, all comments on the forum or privately help me update / improve the documentation and IQ itself, so please don't hesitate to ask questions !

Pierre_Admin

IQ Designer

hi Viking,

I'll only answering what I know, I'll leave the rest to others (i.e. I dont know either what the "Source Items Sort" involves - I do note that I dont have it selected)

[quote=viking]I realize that the sortbar is another option, and maybe the preferred one.

However, I just don't understand why it doesn't work when "Sort items" is selected. I also don't understand [..] why it is currently sorted by "lastcallnbdays descr",. Where is that specified?

[/quote]

Display the Sourcebar (e.g. menu: Grid >Show >)

The box on the right of the Sourcebar (called the Sortbox) is also for sorting: that's where "lastcallnbdays" is applied, and can be removed.

I didnt actually know/remember that the Sortbox will override the Sortbar. (I only use the Sortbar myself for a long time now.)

The advantage of the Sortbox over the Sortbar is that you can sort by fields that are not displayed in the grid.

But the clash of the two is problematic, as in your example.

@Pierre,

# that sort really should not be pre-applied in the Sample file?

# an intuitive method of clearing Sortbox via the Sortbar or elsewhere would be helpful

# I applied/selected "Source Items Sort" under the Sort button, and was unable to deselect it (eventually managed it via the menu, not even sure exactly how). I see it is a split button -- is that the term: it has a submenu, but the submenu is empty (in build 91).

[quote=Tom]

Display the Sourcebar (e.g. menu: Grid >Show >)

The box on the right of the Sourcebar (called the Sortbox) is also for sorting: that's where "lastcallnbdays" is applied, and can be removed.

I didnt actually know/remember that the Sortbox will override the Sortbar. (I only use the Sortbar myself for a long time now.)

[/quote]

Thanks Tom!

Isn't it the other way around though? The Sort bar overrides the Sort box? According to the documentation 5. Sorting and Grouping Items:

2.Sort Box

2. The Sort Box is enabled when Sort Bar is not visible

[quote=viking]

Isn't it the other way around though? The Sort bar overrides the Sort box? According to the documentation 5. Sorting and Grouping Items:

2.Sort Box

2. The Sort Box is enabled when Sort Bar is not visible

[/quote]

I misunderstood something you said above -- thought you were saying the Sort "lastcallnbdays descr" was stopping the Sortbar from working.

(Which I see it doesnt.)

Edit: Pierre had not posted yet when I started to write my post, or I would not have commented.

------------------------------

Ethan, your mean spirited comments were inappropriate, whether the question can or can't be found from a search doesn't even come into the equation. Considering the amount of trivial time consuming requests from all of us at times, it's questionable whether any of us should lecture others on that front.

BTW other than his flurry of "new user posts", I have hardly seen any posts at all from Viking lately. This has always been a friendly forum so I felt a need to speak up - I don't want to see new users needlessly driven away.

"whether the question can or can't be found from a search doesn't even come into the equation."

-> this is where I do not agree with you.

It is a sign of forum courtesy to do research before posting. I do not wish to see a new flurry of easily avoidable posts.

[quote=David_H]

Edit: Pierre had not posted yet when I started to write my post, or I would not have commented.

------------------------------

[/quote]

Shouldn't that be solved with personal messages or by the admin? Not sure that this helps.

Hi viking,

Thanks for the video. There is definitely an issue with using the Alpha toolbar when a grid is in a pane. For now, consider keeping the Adrsbook grid in the tab workspace. I'll look into a fix for this

Regarding sorting, the Source Item sort sub-menu is not yet active. To use / change the source item sort, show the source bar and change the sorting there

Finally, for (3), no it is not possible. The date and alpha filter are system toolbars. Why not use Ctrl+G filter for your Adrsbook grid, Auto-Search Ctrl+F3) is also handy

n.b. I did minor edits to your original post. Creating links to another thread is really easy here, simple use node:NodeIDNumber (enclosed by [ ]) See Linking to other pages for details. Also of interest Web site User manual

HTH !

Pierre_Admin

IQ Designer

@Ethan,
I have responded to your criticism here IQ for Novices. I had looked in the documentation (and even referenced it)

@Ethan & Pierre
The sort documentation (5. Sorting and Grouping Items) is not covering my question regarding “Source Items Sort”. The sort modes are listed as:
1. None (Manual)
2. Sort Bar
3. Source Items Sort
4. Group-By Bar

However, when you scroll down, the explanations are inconsistent with these modes, as it now shows (and no explanation of Source Items Sort):
1. None (Manual)
2. Sort Bar
2.1 Sorting Items or Items and Sub-Items
2.2 Fine tuning the sort
2. Sort Box
3. Column Sort
4. Sub-item Sort
5. Drag-drop
6. Item Move

p.s. From Pierre's post above, I understand that the Source Item sort sub-menu is not yet active.. Maybe that should be explained in the documentation - for now?

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

Finally, for (3), no it is not possible. The date and alpha filter are system toolbars. Why not use Ctrl+G filter for your Adrsbook grid, Auto-Search Ctrl+F3) is also handy

[/quote]

Ctrl-G works for IQ.

However, when I switch my attention and then comes back to IQ I can't see what I have filtered, (I can see what I currently have filtered in Ecco. That is useful for me.)

An alternative is to the Source Bar Source Filter Editbox, although it is a bit cumbersome.

Also, I don't understand why it doesn't work properly for me:

I can find Microsoft using this syntax:

item like "*microsoft" (field contains the string microsoft)

However, I cannot find Mary Smith using:

item like "*mary" (field contains the string mary)

Why not?

[quote=viking]

However, I cannot find Mary Smith using:

item like "*mary" (field contains the string mary)

[/quote]

Because this implies that Mary would be the end of the string. You'd have to write *mary*.

[quote=Armando]

Because this implies that Mary would be the end of the string. You'd have to write *mary*.

[/quote]

You are right; of course

! (It was hard to see the example on my monitor).

[quote=viking]

However, when I switch my attention and then comes back to IQ I can't see what I have filtered, (I can see what I currently have filtered in Ecco. That is useful for me.)

[/quote]

What do you mean?

[quote=Armando]

[quote=viking]

However, when I switch my attention and then comes back to IQ I can't see what I have filtered, (I can see what I currently have filtered in Ecco. That is useful for me.)

[/quote]

What do you mean?

[/quote]

You are right again! I was looking at the top where I am used to see the filter. However, with Ctrl--G, the filter is at the bottom instead!

(I prefer it on top)

Hi viking,

I updated the documentation (5. Sorting and Grouping Items)

HTH !

Pierre_Admin

IQ Designer