Working with Tables (Complex)
A Table (Complex) behavior displays data in a gird format. It has columns that can be sorted or filtered, and optionally you can specify that users can edit the data presented in the Table, either inline, directly in the cells, or by using a pop-up window.
You can use Tables on Index Pages and Object Pages to display properties of Objects and Associated Objects, and on Object Pages only, you
can also show properties of Intersection Objects.
Editing content in a Table
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A Table is the only display option that enables you to edit data in an Index Page. |
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When you edit data in a Table you can edit the object's properties and associations (if you have associations displayed).
You can choose whether to edit data inline or using a pop-up dialog. You must use a pop-up if you want to edit associations.
You can also allow users to create new objects on a Table page, by using the Add Object setting.
Why and how should you use one?
Use a Table when you want to show more details for lists of objects than the other behaviors allow - and if you want users to be able to edit the data.
Where and when can you use one?
Use the table below to see where you can use a Table:
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Page Type |
Parent node |
Tabs |
Number on page |
Editable |
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Index Page |
Object Type node |
Yes - optional |
1 - the Table must be the only element on the page |
Yes |
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Object Page |
Association Type node |
Yes - mandatory |
1 |
Yes |
What do you want to do?
Insert a Table (Complex) into your Index or Object Page
To insert a Table into your page:
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When you use a Table in an Index Page it must be used on its own - that is it cannot be contained within an Accordion or other page display type. |
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Select the parent node - Object Type node for Index Pages, Association Type node for Object Pages - and use the Filter Properties area to apply any filtering
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Switch the Layout node beneath the parent node to Empty
To do this: Right-click the Layout node and choose Switch Layout > CW > Empty
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Right-click the Layout node and choose Add Behaviours > Tables > Table (Complex)
A new node is added below the Layout node, titled 'Table (Complex)'
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Select the new Table (Complex) node
The Table's settings are displayed
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Edit the Table's settings:
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Use Add Object to place an Add Object button on the page so users can create new objects
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Use Edit Mode to specify if you want the objects listed to be editable, and whether you prefer inline editing in the Table or to use a pop-up window
Leave Edit Mode unset if you do not want to allow editing.
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If you show a multi-line text property, such as Description, in your table, and the content includes HTML formatting, users will not be able to edit the content via the table. |
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Object Pages do not support pop-up editing, only inline editing is supported. |
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Use Intersection Object Grid if you want to be able to display the value of an Intersection Object
See Display data from an Intersection Object in a Table (below) for further details.
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Right-click the parent node and choose to add a New Property Group > Empty Group or From CM Panel
This node is the parent node of the 'Layout Empty' node referenced in step 3. For full details on Property Groups, see Working with Property Groups.
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Select the Property Group and use the Selected Properties area to choose all the properties you want to be represented as columns in the Table
Leave the Layout setting as 'table'.
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Save your Site.
The changes are saved.
Include a Table column showing Associated Objects
You can configure your Table to include one or more columns displaying Associated Objects.
When you display Associated Objects in a Table, they can only be displayed as a simple List, showing just the Name of the Associated Object.
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Associations can only be edited in a Table if you set the Table to have an Edit Mode of 'Pop-up'. |
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To add a column showing Associated Objects:
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Right-click the parent node - Object Type node for Index Pages, Association Type node for Object Pages - and select
New Association > [Object Type] > [Association Type] to create an Association node
A new node representing the Association Type is created at the bottom of the list. By default it is given a List (Simple) layout - which is the only layout you can use.
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If your Table is editable, or you plan to make it editable, you must choose which properties of the Associated Objects to display on the pop-up edit dialog by adding a Property Group to the Association node and selecting the properties to display, as nothing is displayed by default:
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Right-click on the Association node and choose New Property Group >Empty Group or From CM Panel > [Pane Name]
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Use the Selected Properties area to choose which properties to display in the edit dialog
For full details on Property Groups, see Working with Property Groups.
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Save your Site.
The changes are saved.
Display data from an Intersection Object in a Table
You can configure a Table, based on an Association Type, to display data from an Intersection Object.
A Table configured in this way will only show the Name of the Associated Object and then any properties of the Intersection Object you choose.
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You can only display Intersection Object data in a Table when the Table is used on an Object Page. |
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To do this:
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Follow the instructions above to create a Table for your Index or Object Page, basing it on an Association Type node
Your tree should look like this: Association Type node > Layout Empty > Table (Complex)
You do not need to add a Property Group to control which properties of the Associated Objects are displayed, as Name is displayed by default.
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Right-click the Association Type node and choose New Intersection Object
A new node is added for the Intersection Object, and it is given a List (Simple) layout by default
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Right-click the Association Type node and choose New Property Group >Empty Group or From CM Panel > [Pane Name]
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Use the Selected Properties area to choose which Property Types are shown in the Table
Each property you select is shown in a separate column in the Table.
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Save your Site.
Your Table is configured. When the page is viewed, you should see a Table showing the Name of Associated Objects in the first column, followed by the
properties of the Intersection Objects in the following columns.