*************************
Multi Data Sections (MDS)
*************************

.. _mds-anchor:

**Multi Data Sections** enable users to create a group of fields (a section) within the **Type Configuration**,
allowing the storage of multiple value sets. These value sets are displayed and managed in a table format.

| 

.. figure:: img/mds/mds_multi_data_section_vs_section.png
    :width: 1000

    Picture: **Multi Data Section** vs **Section**


.. warning::
  * At the current state of development there are some restrictions to MultiDataSections of which some are intended
    and some will be implemented in later releases

    * Objects with MDS can only be exported/imported in JSON format
    * MDS entries cannot be used in the DocAPI
    * MultiDataSections are not displayed in bulk changes
    * MDS fields cannot be used as summary fields in the type configuration

| 

=======================================================================================================================

| 

Adding MDS to Types
-------------------
Before we can add a **MultiDataSection** to a :ref:`Type <types-anchor>` we first need to go to **Framework => Types**
and open the **Type Configuration** of an existing :ref:`Type <types-anchor>` or create a new
:ref:`Type <types-anchor>`. Inside the **Type Configuration** we need to switch to the **Content** - step where we will
find the Structure Control **“Multi Data Section”** in the left sidebar. It can be dragged and dropped into the
:ref:`Type <types-anchor>` like all other elements of the sidebar.

It is possible to include multiple MDS in a single :ref:`Type <types-anchor>`.

| 

.. figure:: img/mds/mds_structure_control.png
    :width: 300

    Picture: Structure Control - **Multi Data Section**

| 

=======================================================================================================================

| 

Adding Fields to MDS
--------------------
After the **MultiDataSection** was dropped in the :ref:`Type <types-anchor>`, we can drag and drop fields from the
**Basic** and **Special Controls** (except “Location”). Fields which are dropped into a **MultiDataSection** will have
an additional checkbox at the top (**“Hide this field as column in object view/edit mode”**). By checking this checkbox
it is possible to remove fields from the table overview, which can be useful to keep the table compact by just
displaying the relevant data. When creating or editing an entry for the **MultiDataSection** these fields will still
be visible in the popup forms.

Once all necessary fields are added to the **Multi Data Section**, you can save the **Type Configuration**.

| 

.. figure:: img/mds/mds_add_fields_to_mds.png
    :width: 1000

    Picture: Adding fields to a **Multi Data Section**

| 

=======================================================================================================================

| 

Adding Objects with MDS
-----------------------
When creating a new :ref:`Object <objects-anchor>` of a :ref:`Type <types-anchor>` with a **MultiDataSection** all
fields (except the fields which were marked as hidden in the **Type Configuration**) of the corresponding **MDS** will
be displayed as table headers with an additional header **“Actions”** where the entries can be modified. To add a new
entry press the **“+Add”** - button in the top left corner of the table.

.. warning::
  * **Saving**: Changes to **MultiDataSections** are only saved in the backend when the **Object** itself is saved.

| 

.. figure:: img/mds/mds_add_object_with_mds.png
    :width: 800

    Picture: Adding objects with **Multi Data Sections**

| 

A popup will be displayed where values for all fields (also the fields which are marked as hidden for the table
overview) can be filled out. After pressing the **“Add”** - Button the entry will be created in the MDS-table.
This process can be repeated to create multiple entries. 

| 

.. figure:: img/mds/mds_add_mds_entry.png
    :width: 800

    Picture: Adding an entry to a **Multi Data Section**

| 

All created entries will be displayed in the table with pagination for more than 10 entries, and each entry will
have **"Actions"** such as Preview, Edit, and Delete.

.. note::
 - **Preview**
    
   Displaying the current values of the entry in a popup

 - **Edit**
    
   The current values of the entry are loaded in a popup form where they can edited

 - **Delete**
    
   The corresponding entry will be deleted (a confirmation popup will be shown)

| 

.. figure:: img/mds/mds_tableoverview.png
    :width: 800

    Picture: Multiple entries in a **Multi Data Section**

|