Complex lists

When you specify that a list is complex, then you need to specify the filter or query that will be used to generate the list, including the string attributes by which you can search to refine your list. There are two ways that you can do this:

  • If you have already set a data filter on the attribute in Object Designer, then that filter is automatically used, and the columns in that filter are used in the drop-down.
  • If no filter is set on the attribute in Object Designer, you can specify a particular system query that you have created.

This section describes the second method, which does not work if you have specified a filter on the attribute.

For more information about data filtering, see Data filtering.

Only attributes with the Data Type of String appear as search boxes in the complex list.

We recommend that the queries that you select do not have too many string attributes added to it, as each of these attributes appear on a complex list to enable users to refine their search. The complex list will expand to accommodate all of the attributes that you specify, but it is generally good practice to limit the attributes to a manageable number. For example, three or four. In the earlier example of a complex list four attributes were used, which was wider than the window itself.

You can specify the page size for a query, and this is used on the list. For example, if you specify a page size of fifteen, then only fifteen items appear on each page of the list.

If you do not specify it in the query, the page size is taken from the default page size defined in the System Settings, unless you specify the page size in the Properties grid. In this case, the page size that you specify for the list takes precedence over the System Settings.

To create a complex list:
  1. Start the Window Manager component, and open the required window.
  2. Select the required list, then expand the Properties grid ().
  3. On the Properties grid, alongside the Complex List property, select True.

If you have already created a data filter for the selected attribute, you do not need to configure any further properties, so you can save your window.

If you have not created a data filter for the selected attribute, then you need to select the query that you want to use.

  1. On the Properties grid, alongside the Query property, select the required query, for example, All Users.
  2. Click .