Tables in BSI

Topics:

Tables

Spreadsheet-like tables are used to present data throughout the system.  A table has one row per entry and one or more columns for each row.

There are three types of tables used in the BSI system:

  • The first type is used only to display information to users.  There are no actions that a user can take on this type of table.  
  • The second type of table is a list of items from which users may select some or all of the items for further action.  This type of table is found in most of the managers in the client interface.  While users can select items in these tables, users cannot directly edit the information in the table. Users can copy data from these tables using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+c or by using the right-mouse button Copy** option.
  • The third type of table is an editable one, similar to Excel or other spreadsheets.  Information in the table can be changed or added as well as selected for specific actions.  This type of table can be found in the Data Entry Editor and the Template Editor, as well as other places.

**Note: In a Data Entry Add batch, using copy/paste to update Sample IDs can cause already entered sample level data to be updated. If this would happen, then a Sample Data Changed! dialog will open. The dialog shows the changes which will be made and provides an option to continue with the change, or to cancel the change.

To modify any of the data in this type of table:

  1. Position the mouse in the cell containing the data you want to change and double-click.

  2. Type in the new value and click the Enter or Tab keys.

Table displays can be modified in order to reorganize information, print selected information or simplify data entry.  


BSI Managers & Editors

The basic interface in BSI system is defined by managers and editors.  For every major function of the system there is both a manager and an editor to perform that function.  For example, the manager/editor relationship exists for: Data Entry, Reports, Requisitions, Code Lists, Templates, and User Administration.  Each of the managers also has a security policy associated with it.

A manager deals with the manipulation of items at a high level, but cannot change the individual properties of those items.  For example, the Reports Manager allows the user to create and delete reports but does not let the user change the title or the search statement for an individual report.  An editor manipulates a single item at an individual level.  For example, the Reports Editor allows the user to change the settings, such as title and search criteria, for a single report.

A user accesses editors via the managers when the user creates or edits an item, such as a report, requisition, or data entry batch.  When the user is done with that item and exits the editor, the user is returned to its manager.  All of the managers contain a table which displays a list of items relevant to that manager.  The items in this table will change depending on the filter or directory specified.

The Report, Template, and Label managers use directories (similar to hard disk directories) to organize their data.  Each user is assigned their own directory within their organization, which is also assigned a directory.  Most of the time a user will be working with (creating, editing, and deleting) reports, templates, or labels in their own directory.  By changing directories, the user can view and use items that other users have created.  However, the user is not allowed to save or delete items in any directory except their own.

Flat managers, such as the Data Entry Manager, do not have directories.  Instead, the items that are shown in the manager table are determined by the filter.  On flat mangers, there is a Filter button which opens the Standard Search Dialog that allows you to specify the properties for the table.  For example, in the Requisitions Manager table, the user can choose to see only newly submitted requisitions or only those submitted by persons at their repository.  When filter criteria is not specified, items or batches will be returned by the “Date Last Modified” field, sorting most recent batches or items to the top.

Users may also specify and save default views for each flat manager.

Many managers and editors display the Instance, Database Name, and User Name on the bottom.


Drag & Drop Specimens in Tables

Specimens can be dragged and dropped from one table to another. 

  1. Select one or more specimens from one of the following type of tables:
    • Add batch (committed)

    • Modify batch (uncommitted)

    • Delete batch (uncommitted)

    • Change Id batch (uncommitted)

    • Locations

    • Requisitions

    • Shipments

    • Reports - drag and drop is only allowed for interactive tables.

  2. Open another table from one of the following:
    • Modify batch (uncommitted)

    • Delete batch (uncommitted)

    • Change ID Batch (uncommitted)

    • Locations

    • Requisitions

    • Shipments
  3. Drag the highlighted specimen to the second table.

    If the transfer of any or all specimens failed, a Problems dialog appears, displaying the BSI ID and reason for the failure. Select OK to import any valid specimens or Cancel to exit the dialog without importing the specimens.

    Select Table Rows

    Most BSI tables are multi-selection tables, meaning that the user can select more than one row at a time.  Row selections are used to indicate which items in the table the user wishes to perform an action. These actions can be initiated by buttons in the current window, menu items, or menu choices from the column header.  Select rows in order to print table information, print labels, delete rows, and use the Mass Change and Find and Replace options to edit data.

    • To select a row, simply click on any cell in that row.
    • If you wish to select multiple rows you may hold down the Ctrl key while selecting more rows.  
    • Use the Shift key to select ranges of rows.  To do this, select the first row by clicking on it, then select the last row in the range while holding down the Shift key.  
    • Select ranges of rows by clicking and dragging over the range.
    • To select all rows, click on Select All from the Edit menu or press Ctrl+A.  
    • The Select Rows option uses a search dialog to highlight rows that meet user specified criteria.

    Hyperlinks

    Users can launch HTTP (Internet) and network drive links from the right-click menu of a cell within various editors in BSI.

    Listed below are a few of the editors from which the launching of HTTP and network drive links can be performed:

    • Code List Editor

    • Container Display Panel

    • Data Entry Editor

    • Interactive Tables

    • Modifiers Selection (Vial and Sample Modifier Dialogs)

    • Requisitions Editor

    • Sample Reservations Editor

    • Shipment Editor

    • Template Editor

    For HTTP links, use the following formats:

    • http://www.<site>.com

    • https://www.<site>.com

    • www.<site>.com

    For network drive links, use the following format:

    • C:\\file.txt

    To create HTTP or network drive links in an editor:

    1. Highlight an editable cell within the editor.

    2. Type in a HTTP or network drive link using one of the accepted formats above.

    To launch a pre-existing HTTP or network drive link:

    1. In the editor, highlight the cell containing the HTTP or network drive link.

    2. Right-click the cell and select Open (for network drive links) or Go to URL (for HTTP links). The file or website will open.

      • NOTE: If the file location is invalid, the Open menu selection will not appear (network drive links only).

    Column Headers

    At the top of the table are the column header. Column headers are distinguished from the data in the table by their color.  The column headers have a gray background and 3-D look.  All of the tables in the BSI interface have menus associated with the column headers.  To see these menus, right-click on the column header.  A menu then appears displaying the list of commands available with this table column.  At a minimum these commands include the ability to sort the table by this column.  In the more complicated interfaces, such as the Requisitions editor, there may be more than a dozen commands on a menu header.  Some commands apply to the entire table (such as Sort) while some actions only apply to the selected rows in the table.

    Clicking a column header will select the entire column.

    Most of these tables are multi-selection tables, meaning more than one row can be selected at a time.  To select a row simply click on any column in that row.  To select multiple rows, hold down the Ctrl key while selecting more rows.  The Shift key may also be used to select ranges of rows.  To do this, select the first row by clicking on it, then select the last row in the range while holding down the Shift key. It is also possible to select ranges of rows by clicking and dragging over the range.  Row selections are used to indicate which items in the table on which to perform an action.  These actions can be initiated by buttons in the current window, menu items, or menu choices from the column header.

    Choose a topic below to learn more about column header tools:

    Resizing Rows

    Rows in the tables throughout the system can be resized to better display specimen data.

    To resize a row:

    1. Move the mouse over the bottom side of a row until the double arrows appear. To resize multiple rows, first highlight multiple rows before finding the double arrows.

    2. While holding down the mouse button, drag the row until it reaches the desired height.

    3. Release the mouse button and the row resizes.

    All rows and columns can be automatically resized to fit the contents of the table by clicking the F6 key.

    Resizing Columns

    Columns in the tables throughout the system can be resized to better display specimen data.

    To resize a column:

    1. Move the mouse over the right side of a column until the double arrows appear.

    2. While holding down the mouse button, drag the column until it reaches the desired width.

    3. Release the mouse button and the column resizes.

    All columns and columns can be automatically resized to fit the contents of the table by clicking the F6 key.

    Rearranging Columns

    To change the column order, click on at column header and drag the column to the desired place while holding down the mouse button.  Release the mouse button once the column is in the desired location.

    Columns can also be arranged via the Hide/Show Columns option.

    To change column order:

    1. Either select Hide/Show Columns from the Tools menu, press the Hide/Show Columns button or select Hide/Show Columns from a RMB column header menu.  The Select Fields for Display dialog will open.
    2. In the Displayed Fields list, click on the desired column name or click on multiple column names while holding down the Ctrl key.
    3. Press the Up or Dn buttons to move the columns within the list. Select Fields for Display
    4. Press the OK button.  The columns will be displayed in the order listed.

    Hiding/Showing Columns

    Users can select which columns are displayed via the Hide Column and Hide/Show Columns options.  The Hide/Show Columns option can also be used to change column order.

    To hide a single column, click on the column header of the column you would like to hide and select Hide Column.

    To hide multiple columns:

    1. Either select Hide/Show Columns from the Tools menu, press the Hide/Show Columns button or select Hide/Show Columns from a RMB column header menu.  The Select Fields for Display dialog will open. Hide Multiple Columns
    2. In the Displayed Fields list, click on the desired column name or click on multiple column names while holding down the Ctrl key.
    3. Press the < button to move the selected column name(s) into the Hidden Fields list.  Press the << button to move all the column names into the Hidden Fields list.  (At least one field must be displayed in a table when OK is pressed.) Hidden/Displayed Fields
    4. Press the OK button.

    To show hidden columns:

    1. Either select Hide/Show Columns from the Tools menu, press the Hide/Show Columns button or select Hide/Show Columns from a RMB column header menu.  The Select Fields for Display dialog will open. Hide/Show Columns
    2. In the Hidden Fields list, click on the desired column name or click on multiple column names while holding down the Ctrl key.
    3. Press the > button to move the selected column name(s) into the Shown Fields list.  Press the >> button to move all the column names into the Shown Fields list.
    4. Press the OK button.

    Hide Empty Columns

    Select Hide Empty Columns from the View menu or a column header menu to hide columns that contain blank values for all table rows.  Once Hide Empty Columns is selected empty columns are removed from the table view.

    Column Properties

    Column properties will display specific information about a column.

    To view column properties:

    1. Click on the column header.  A menu will appear.
    2. From this menu select Properties.  A Properties dialog will be displayed showing information about the column. Column Properties
    3. Select OK to close the Properties dialog.

    Sorting Column Values

    Table data can be sorted by a single column or by multiple columns.  Records in an editor can be sorted by errors, if the editor contains an Error table, by selecting Sort/Sort by Errors from a column header menu.

    To sort by a single column:

    1. Right-click on the column header.  A menu will appear.
    2. From this menu select either Sort Descending or Sort Ascending. Sort By Single Column

    To sort by multiple columns:

    1. Right-click on any column header.
    2. Select Sort from the menu that appears to open the Sort Columns dialog. Multiple Columns
    3. Select sort columns from the Available Columns list by clicking on a column name or clicking on multiple column names while holding down the Ctrl key.
    4. Use the > button to move selected column names into the Sort Column list. Use the >> button to move all of the Available Columns into the Sort Columns list.
    5. To remove columns from the Sort Columns list, click on a column name or multiple column names while holding down the Ctrl key. Press the < to remove selected column name(s).  Press << to remove all column names.
    6. Change the order in which columns are sorted by selecting a column from the Sort Columns list and pressing Up or Dn buttons. Sort Column List
    7. The direction in which column data is sorted may also be changed.  The default direction is ascending.  To sort a column in descending order, highlight the column name in the Sort Columns list and press the direction change button DIR.
    8. Once the sort conditions have been defined, press the OK button.

    Changing Column Data View

    BSI stores much of its data in a coded format.  These codes are stored in Code Lists.  Most of the code lists contain a label or "Formatted" view of the data that is more readable. Users can save a default view preference.

    To change the view level for a column:

    1. Click the column header to open the column header menu.
    2. Hover the mouse over the View option.  Users can choose among the following view options:Change View Level
      • View Data - Shows the fields as codes 
      • View Formatted - Shows the fields as labels
      • View Image -  Shows the field as an image
    3. When a user clicks on a field to edit while the field displays an icon, the field displays the formatted text. Select one of the options. The column's view level will change to the selected option.

    Field Descriptions

    For each field label in a manager, editor, or editable table, a tooltip displays the field properties when the mouse hovers over the field label.

    The Tooltip displays in both table and form display options.

    Select All Cells

    On all editable tables, users can select all rows by clicking in the upper-left corner (between the first column header and first row header).