imported>Jason.nicholls: /* Available Controls */

2015-07-23T15:30:28Z

Available Controls

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:30, 23 July 2015
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	=== Available Controls ===		=== Available Controls ===

	* flip: (builder only) switch between the regular widget visualization and a table displaying the raw data.		* data mode flip: (builder only) switch between the regular widget visualization and a table displaying the raw data.
	* magnifying glass / search: ([[appboard/2.6/builder/widgets/options\|option]]) toggle text search on/off.		* magnifying glass / search: ([[appboard/2.6/builder/widgets/options\|option]]) toggle text search on/off.
	* wrench / edit: (builder only) edit the widget configuration		* wrench / edit: (builder only) edit the widget configuration

imported>Jason.nicholls: 1 revision

2015-04-30T10:59:28Z

1 revision

← Older revision	Revision as of 10:59, 30 April 2015
(No difference)

imported>Jason.nicholls: /* Widget Anatomy */

2014-11-05T06:33:01Z

Widget Anatomy

New page

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Widgets}}
[[Category:AppBoard 2.6]]
[[Image:HeaderFlow05.png]]
== Overview ==

''Widgets'' are used to present data in different ways, and are also the primary mechanism to interact with data through the use of ''Actions''. Widgets are arranged onto ''Boards'' that control layout, and Boards are organized into ''Stacks'' that are used as the primary navigation element and also tied to provisioning content.

AppBoard offers a wide variety of widgets along with an API to write custom HTML widgets, and the ability to bring in external web content through enPortal. The screenshot below shows a broad cross section of widgets shipped with AppBoard:

[[File:appboard-2.5-widgets.png|thumb||center|720px|Wall of widgets]]

== Widget Anatomy ==

A widget consists of the visible components, the frame, titlebar, controls, the actual content, and optionally a status-bar which allows for quick data filtering called a ''Quick Filter'' as shown in the screenshot below. The controls for a widget differ depending whether using the Viewer or Builder, the type of widget, and if any widget ''Options'' are enabled.

The layout and size of widgets is controlled by the layout manager which is part of the Board the widget is on. The spacing between widgets and the general look of widgets is controlled by the Theme manager. Finally the widget itself usually provides some configuration on the presentation of the data, such as colors for bars in a bar chart.

Refer to the following pages for more detailed information on:

* General Configuration: see the ''Managing Widgets'' section below.
* [[appboard/2.6/builder/widgets/list|Widget Types]]: Comprehensive list and details for each widget type
* [[appboard/2.6/builder/widgets/options|Widget Options]]: These are common to most widgets and are part of the widget configuration.
* [[appboard/2.6/builder/widgets/actions|Widget Actions]]: Although not immediately obvious from looking at a widget, actions are configured for mouse-click or mouse-hover events. This is where real interactivity can be built into the dashboards with in-context drill-downs, filtering, and cross-over to related proxied web applications via enPortal.

[[File:appboard-2.5-widget-anatomy.png|frame|center|Example widget in the Builder]]

=== Available Controls ===

* flip: (builder only) switch between the regular widget visualization and a table displaying the raw data.
* magnifying glass / search: ([[appboard/2.6/builder/widgets/options|option]]) toggle text search on/off.
* wrench / edit: (builder only) edit the widget configuration
* lightning bolt / actions: (builder only) edit the widget actions
* question mark / help: ([[appboard/2.6/builder/widgets/options|option]]) widget help
* download: ([[appboard/2.6/builder/widgets/options|option]]) download Data Collection.
* maximize / minimize: toggle a widget to maximize and fill the entire board and back to it's original size.
* <tt>X</tt> / delete: (builder only) delete the widget.
* <tt>>></tt> / toggle controls: (builder only) show/hide controls
* home: This is not shown in the screenshot above but the home icon is present with [[appboard/2.6/builder/widgets/web_page|Web Widgets]] only.

== Managing Widgets ==

The Builder offers a ''Widgets'' mode for general widget management. From this page it's possible to view all widgets in the system, modify configuration, modify actions, move widgets from one board to another, copy, and add and delete widgets. Often however it's easier to manage widgets from the ''Builder'' mode directly on the Board. Existing widgets can be modified or deleted using the widget ''Controls'', and new widgets added using the ''Add Widget'' quick action. The advantage of using the ''Builder'' mode is widgets can also be arranged on the board, the layout tweaked, and immediately viewing the widget after making changes.

=== Adding / Editing Widgets ===

Use the ''Add Widget'' button when in the ''Builder'' mode to add a widget onto the current board, or the ''Add'' button when in the ''Widgets'' mode.

Editing existing widgets can be done by clicking the wrench control of a widget, or using the ''Edit'' button with a selected widget in the ''Widgets'' mode.

The Add wizard, and Edit dialog are basically the same except that the Add operation can be cancelled, while changes to existing widgets are immediate (no cancel).

Widget configuration is split into three main sections, although depending on the widget type there may be additional sections:

* '''Data''': This step defines:
** '''Widget Type''': Sets or changes the type of this widget. Refer to the [[appboard/2.6/builder/widgets/list|Widget Types]] documentation information on each widget type.
** '''Widget Name''': By default this name is used internally in the Builder as well as in the widget titlebar. However, if the ''Display Name'' is configured, then that is used in the widget titlebar instead. It is recommended to use unique and descriptive widget names. If these aren't appropriate for the widget titlebar then also set the ''Display Name''.
** '''Display Name''': optional and as described above.
** '''Data Collection''': Set the data collection used to drive the widget. The presence of this option depends on the ''Widget Type'' as not all widgets have a directly associated data collection.
* '''Visualization / ...''': Depending on the widget type at least the ''Visualization'' step will be present and optionally other steps such as ''Presentation'' etc... These steps all have to do with the specific widget type configuration. Refer to the [[appboard/2.6/builder/widgets/list|Widget Types]] documentation for detailed information on each type.
* '''Options''': Options allow for text searching, quick filters, data collection downloads, and setting widget help text. Refer to the [[appboard/2.6/builder/widgets/options|Widget Options]] documentation for more information.

=== Actions ===

Refer to the [[appboard/2.6/builder/widgets/actions|Widget Actions]] page.

=== Deleting Widgets ===

Deleting widgets can be performed by using the widget <tt>X</tt> control in the ''Builder'' mode, or using the ''Delete'' button with a selected widget in the ''Widgets'' mode.

=== Moving Widgets ===

This refers to moving widgets from one Board to another. For actual placement of a widget on a board then refer to the [[appboard/2.6/builder/layout|Board Layout]] documentation.

To move a widget you must be in the ''Widgets'' mode. Clicking in the ''Board'' column for a particular widget will allow the Board to be changed via a drop-down selection. After moving a widget it is recommended to visit both the original and target boards in the ''Builder'' mode to adjust the layout to suit.

=== Copying Widgets ===

Copying a widget will copy the widget, all actions, and optionally the Data Collection used by the widget. Use the ''Copy'' button with a widget selected when in the ''Widgets'' mode to perform a copy. The following fields are presented:

* '''Name''': defaults to the existing name, can be modified
* '''Board''': where the copy should reside
* '''Use Existing Data Collection / New Data Collection''': toggle to determine whether copies of the data collection should also be made.
* '''Names Alterations''': these options are only available if ''New Data Collection'' is selected above. It allows for either a prefix and/or a suffix to be added to the data collection name.

Certain configuration remains global and shared even if a copy is performed, in particular:

* Icon, Color, Shape, and Colored Shape Filters
* Diagrams: Diagrams themselves are global, the Diagrammer widget is used to show and modify diagrams.
* Relationship Models

== Related Topics ==

* [[appboard/2.6/mobile/widget_support|Mobile Widget Support]]
* [[appboard/2.6/builder/stacks_and_boards|Stacks & Boards]]

Appboard/2.6/builder/widgets - Revision history

imported>Jason.nicholls: /* Available Controls */

imported>Jason.nicholls: 1 revision

imported>Jason.nicholls: /* Widget Anatomy */