Submitted by Paul_J_Miller on 2019/01/02 18:38
It would be nice if there was a quick simple way of creating a link from one note (item) in InfoQube to another note in InfoQube whilst typing without having to call up a dialog box and search for the target note.  It would be even better if there was a way to create a link to a non existant note and later when that link was followed InfoQube would create a blank note with the name referred to in the link.  Linking from a search in a dialog box achieves the same results but it breaks the train of thought.
 
In ConnectedText you just type [[ and a drop down list of names appears after you have tyepd the first character of the name, the list narrows to match what you type as you type until you either select one from the list or finish typing the name with ]].  If you typed a name which doesn't exist then ConnectedText just creates a page with that name when the link is first followed and opens it for editing
 
On MyInfo the same thing happens when typing in an article, he calls it Wiki Linking.  When you type [[ a list of names drops down after you type the first character of the name and the list narrows to match what you type until you select one from the list.  If you select an article from the list MyInfo even adds the trailing ]] for you.  However in MyInfo the name must be that of a pre existing article, so it isn't as good as ConnectedText in that respect.
 
Of course this is a very big ask and I realise it would be very difficult.  I would add further evidence to justify the request with this article from Manfred Kuehn's blog.
 
I realise this would be difficult on InfoQube.
 
In ConnectedText articles have to have unique names whereas in InfoQube many articles can exist which have the same name, they are distinguished by their database ID number.  I can see why you allowed many articles with the same name as it adds to the flexibility however I do believe this is a design flaw in InfoQube, but your opinion is probably different.
 
Another problem is that if an article is created in response to a link to a page which does not exist yet then which grid do you put it in.  The options are to put it in the current grid (or grids) with the article which is linking to it or to put it in no grid or to put it in a default grid like 'Inbox'.  I believe it would be better to put it in the same grid as the referring item (the currently open grid).
 
Pierre, it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on this matter.
 

Comments

Hi Paul,

Well, well, it may not be Christmas just yet, but this feature is finally coming to IQ:

  1. In the Doc pane / Item Editor, Press [[
  2. Item link dialog comes up. Start typing an item text
  3. List will filter. Use the down arrow and space bar (or click) to select 1 or more items and hit Enter
  4. IQ will create a link to the item(s)
  5. There is a dropdown to limit the items listed to (1) the current grid, (2) any other grid, or (3) recently added items

If the item is not listed, a new item will automatically be created and put in the Inbox grid

Links created will also create a Related item links (to provide something like back-links)

Coming up in v118

HTH !

Pierre_Admin
IQ Designer

It is coming together nicely....

With a bunch of options:

  1. Where to look for matching items
  2. How to generate the link (content, look)
  3. Create a matching Related Item or not

a

HTH !

Pierre_Admin
IQ Designer

Have successfully created a link between two items (in the same grid). Had to do so through the right-click context menu, though, typing "[[" in the item text didn't open the dialog for me.

So far, so great! The question is how to make use of these links, i. e. where will they be displayed? Do you still have plans for a links pane? Or should there be a section towards the top of the properties pane where we could see related items and click to navigate to them?

Also, will items with item links get some sort of visual distinction in the grid to highlight that status?

Thanks!

Hi Left,

The [[ concept is mostly for the Doc pane / Item editor. It works in the grid when using the WYIWYG editor. More to come later

As to the integration with other IQ UIs, you can enable the creation of Related Item links, and if you do, these will be shown in numerous UIs automatically.

The links pane is still on the road map !

Pierre_Admin
IQ Designer