Thanks -- it works. Just one clarification. You said "add to source bar filter" -- did you mean use filter box in addition to the source box that will stay as is, the original source for the given grid?
Thanks -- it works. Just one clarification. You said "add to source bar filter" -- did you mean use filter box in addition to the source box that will stay as is, the original source for the given grid?
[/quote]
yes, I think you're talking about the correct one:
[source-box] [filter-box] [sort-box]
Filter text goes in the middle one
It's important though to understand that the filter will only work on items that meet the source of the grid - in a normal grid that's only the Top Level Items.
That's why you might want to change the source as well or use the column filter...
I know I should be sure about that, but I admit I am not, so... The items that meet the source are the ones that have in the property pane, under "available fields" checked the same field that is in the source-box (sorry for this tortured definition). And in order to make an item meet the grid source I should check that box. Am I right? Are there other ways to make an item meet the grid source?
Are there other ways to make an item meet the grid source?
[/quote]
Hi Jay,
No, there are no other ways. The source is basically a filter, but it's the "main filter" if you wish. A source can be a single field but it could also be more complex.
E.g. :
itemcolor or (project and duedate)
However it's usually better to use simple sources as the grids are then easier to manage.
Sorry I said there are "no other ways"... But it depends how you look at the question.
Source fields will be "checked" automatically when you enter items at the top level of a grid, or if you move an item to the top level of a grid -- even if it's from another grid, using drag & drop.
e.g. : if you create an item in a grid which has "contact" as a source field, the contact field will be checked for that item. The same will happen if you move an item from another grid to this one. If you move (Drag & drop) the item away from the grid and the source is simple, the contact field will be unchecked.
Hope that this will complement Tom's explanations.
In regard to "no other ways" -- I now remembered that I did something in the past to have all subitems in the given grid meet the grid source automatically. I just checked "value->subitems" under inheritance for the grid "autogenerated field". And so another way to make items meet the grid source would be to display that "yes/no" field and check all its yeses.
[quote=Pierre_Admin]If you want something specific to a particular grid, in Grid>>Properties, enter it in "Auto assign the following fields"[/quote]
I wonder should this be done by default in new grids (the grid source field being assigned to new item in the grid) - that way when new users, start to filter, they are able to filter the contents of a grid in a simpler manner. This has probably been suggested before - I know this whole source-grid-filter thing is discussed in depth in at least one other thread but I couldnt find it so just throwing it out there again.
I know the syntax is difficult but this is the main reason I have never started really using filters (maybe I have too much diverse info in many of my grids as well...)
[quote=Pierre_Admin]If you want something specific to a particular grid, in Grid>>Properties, enter it in "Auto assign the following fields"[/quote]
I wonder should this be done by default in new grids (the grid source field being assigned to new item in the grid) - that way when new users, start to filter, they are able to filter the contents of a grid in a simpler manner. This has probably been suggested before - I know this whole source-grid-filter thing is discussed in depth in at least one other thread but I couldnt find it so just throwing it out there again.
I know the syntax is difficult but this is the main reason I have never started really using filters (maybe I have too much diverse info in many of my grids as well...)
[/quote]
There was a thread where I explained how I use inheritance in many grids (the set up and discipline it involves is a bit more difficult, but makes filtering and the "flat view display", much easier) :
And some threads which tend to corroborate the hypothesis that there might be some complexities that shouldn't be, behavior that should be more evident :
Then there were also some discussions (quite extensive) about IQ's automatic field data modification and other complexities (maybe the ones you're thinking of, Tom) :
So... These matters have been discussed quite a few times.
I do believe too that filtering is more complicated when only TLIs meet a simple source ("complex" ones are a different matter).
I took the time to find these threads and post them here as I think they reflect problems that are still unsolved, unaddressed -- and they should, sooner then later. (Filter complexities etc. are actually part of my high priorities -- they are not really problematic for me, but I see how they are to most less "technically inclined" users).
The new search >> "Show selected items in Current Grid as Hoisted items", does help however as it provides an alternate way to select items (completely free-form selection)
The new search >> "Show selected items in Current Grid as Hoisted items", does help however as it provides an alternate way to select items (completely free-form selection)
[/quote]
Don't be sad Pierre :)
I believe that only a few changes could make a big difference. However, that probably means that long time users would have to adapt their filters etc.
Yes the hoisting feature tremendously simplifies some operations.
I didn't mention all the peripheral/differents ways a field could be automatically populated with data as there are many.
Other ways would be :
- "Manage Grids" dialog's "auto assign the following fields" (-- link to nonexistent node ID 896 --)
- Field "auto assignment rules" equations (-- link to nonexistent node ID 1071 --)
- (ctrl)Drag and drop from one grid to another with a different source (similar to the creation of an item in a grid),
- Move an item from top level a lower level (will remove data from the source field, when source is simple) / Move a children to top level (will add data to the source field, when source is simple)
... The items that meet the source are the ones that have in the property pane, under "available fields" checked the same field that is in the source-box (sorry for this tortured definition).
[/quote]yes that's actually a good description !
[quote=jsolka]
And in order to make an item meet the grid source I should check that box. Am I right? Are there other ways to make an item meet the grid source?
[/quote] yes,
but normally only Top Level Items in the grid have the source field ticked. This (in my opinion) makes filtering a more advanced skill (I still use it very little myself so amn't the best person to explain it).
In your case, if you simply want to do as you originally asked (How do I display in a given grid all the items that have a certain color?)
I would recommend:
[quote=Pierre_Admin][...] add the ItemColor field to the grid (as a column) and use the column filters[/quote]
To see all items with a particular background colour, you could use the scratch grid (or another grid) and change the Source to ItemColor and all items with coloured backgrounds should show.
to use the Column Filter (again, as Pierre suggested), you need to expand the items first
[/quote]
This "expanding" requirement is another point that needs to be addressed sooner than later. It's not very intuitive, and if it's going to stay like that, the behaviour should be entirely explicit, maybe in a popup (??).
(And... lately... All these questions about filters tells me that something needs to be done for filtering that's more user friendly than SQL syntax in the filter text box. I don't have any problems with it but... Would the "named filters etc." toolbar help with that ? Pierre ?)
Comments
yes,