Multi Data Sections (MDS)

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.


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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 Type we first need to go to Framework => Types and open the Type Configuration of an existing Type or create a new Type. 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 Type like all other elements of the sidebar.

It is possible to include multiple MDS in a single Type.


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Picture: Structure Control - Multi Data Section



Adding Fields to MDS

After the MultiDataSection was dropped in the Type, 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.


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Picture: Adding fields to a Multi Data Section



Adding Objects with MDS

When creating a new Object of a Type 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.


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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.


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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)


../_images/mds_tableoverview.png

Picture: Multiple entries in a Multi Data Section