Data Source-Views (List screen)

An overview of Data Source-Views (List screen)

After reading this article you will know:

• What is a data source-view (list screen)
• How to create a data source list screen
• Data Actions & List Permissions
• How to add Filters in List View

A View (List screen) is similar to a grid report in that it presents all of the data accessible in a data source. The distinction is that a view provides configurable actions to alter a record's data on the fly, take a printout, and much more directly from the view's record. It is also referred as an actionable report.

How to create a data source List screen?

• Once you have a data source ready, simply click on the data source to see the Actions & Adoption Types, as shown below.

• Click on the "+" corresponding to the Views option to start creating a data source-view.
• On the Create View page, provide a name to the view.
• Select the view type as List screen.
• You will land on the configuration page with four sections.
  • Static Columns
  • Business Rules
  • Data Actions
  • List Permissions

Static Columns

The principal objective of the Static Columns is to add additional data fields with static values to the list screen, in addition to the data fields that are derived from the data source.

• The Static Columns displays Name, Type and Value fields.
• In the Name field, give a name to the static field. 
• The platform will provide you with the following field types, select your's:
  • Text Box
  • Phone Number
  • Drop Down
  • Number
  • Time
  • Date
  • Date Time
  • Calculate
• In the Value field, define a value for the new static field. You can even choose not to provide a value if you plan to pass the value using the business rules.

• Add the Business Rules as per your use case requirement.

Data Actions

Data actions make the process automation more inclined towards data eliminating a direct involvement of the apps to get the work done, i.e., the data actions allows the users to open an app to add a record, take a print out of a record in relation with the view's record then there itself.

• To configure an action, start by giving a Name to the action (E.g. Add Record, Open Report, etc)
• Next, select an Action, below are the available data actions, choose it wisely.
  1. Open Add Record: This action allows you to open an app in add record mode and perform transactions.
  2. Open Data table Record: This action allows you to open a data table's record adding page to add a single record in it.
  3. Open Data table multiple records: This action allows you to open a data table's record adding page to add multiple records in it.
  4. Print: This action allows you to take the print of a report (Chart, and Individual) that is related to the record. For example, if you have a list of invoice records and related individual report, you can happily take the printout of the required invoices without losing the track of rest. 
  5. Open Report: This action allows you to view the report (All Report Types) that is related to a record to make instant informed decisions.
  6. Open List Screen: This action allows you to view the desired list screen from the current list screen.
  7. Open App as Report: This action allows you to open record's related app-form with previously transacted data.
  8. Inline Edit: This action allows you to make changes to your data on the fly, directly within the record itself.

Let's discuss the configuration process for the above actions:

Open Add Record

• Select the Open Add Record option from the Select Action drop-down.
• Select an option from the Open In drop-down to define where and how the app should open. 
• Select an option from the Select Action View drop-down, to display the action either as an Icon, Link, or Button. In case of Icon, you need to select the representative symbol for the icon.

• Select the Workspace, and then select a required app listed in the  Select Reference drop-down. 
• After selecting the app, Data source Element and Select Reference Element to establish a relation between the records and the app.
  • Data source Element: The field selection in this drop-down will be of the list screen.
  • Select Reference Element: The field selection in this drop-down will be of the app.

• Click on the Save button.

Inline Edit

From the end-user's point-of-view, the functionality of the Inline Edit remains straight forward. Refer to the GIF below.

The operational model involves the cooperation of various functions to ensure seamless editing (data update). Refer to the below representation.

There are two procedures involved in configuring the Inline Edit action to a field, Prerequisite and "Inline Edit" Action Configuration:

Prerequisite:

1. The developer should possess prior knowledge of which data field on the list screen will have the inline editing feature enabled. Assume the data field as 'X', and the list screen should have a unique field, such as Employee ID.
2. The developer should have an application (say 'Z') that includes the same data field (X) as the one on the list screen for which inline editing feature will be enabled. The app should also have a same unique field, such as Employee ID. 
3. The developer should have a data table, and the data table should be related (connected) to the app (Z) with Update (CRUD) function. This data table should be used in data source on top of which the list screen is created.

"Inline Edit" Action Configuration:

• Select the Inline Edit option from the Select Action drop-down.
• Select the required data field of the list screen from the Select View Column drop-down.
• Select the workspace in which you have the referred app from the Select Workspace drop-down.
• Select the related app from Select Reference drop-down.
• Select the related app field from the Reference Element drop-down.

List Permissions

List Permissions feature serves the purpose of controlling the access level of specific fields in a data source for each user role. It allows you to either show or hide certain fields depending on the user's permissions and responsibilities. The main objective is to regulate the visibility of sensitive information and maintain data security by ensuring that only authorized users have access to it. This feature provides a customized user experience for different roles by managing access to the data source.

• The list permissions page will display as shown below.

• Click on Add Access button to provide access of the list screen to specific roles. You can even go to a granular level to provide or deny the access of a data field to a role.
• To begin, choose a workspace that grants access to the individuals for whom you wish to enable the ability to view the list screen.
• Select a role from the Select Role drop-down.
• Data Access: This allows the admins to grant a specific user access to their own data to visualize while restricting access to data contributed by others. Use this functionality as applicable but its not mandatory.
• You can impose the restrictions such as Read-Only and Hidden for every data field available in the list screen.

• Click on the save button, to save the list permissions.
• On List Permissions page, you will be able to see the saved list permission.

• Click on Next, to land on the final step of the view (list screen) creation process to find the settings.

• Once finished with the settings, click on Save to finish creating the view.

Implicit Filters and Centralized Controls in List View

Just like our grid reports, you now have implicit filters and a few extra settings options right in the list view. Implicit filters enhance data visualization and analysis, letting users concentrate on pertinent information without having to manually set filters each time. You'll also notice that all the settings, once scattered individually, are now centralized on a single page, making it easier to handle preferences and configurations in the list view.

The newly introduced option are as follows:

Follow the GIF below to know more about adding Filters: