[Attribute Editor] Manual order for the edit fields Topic is solved

[yozi]

Hi Dan,

I’m reaching out to ask if there’s a way to manually order the edit fields in the current version of ToDoList (9.0). In version 8.x, the fields were arranged in a very intuitive way, which made them easier to work with. However, the current options to sort fields by type or name in version 9.0 feel less flexible and a bit harder to navigate.

For context, my preferred layout involves using ToDoList side-by-side with another window, with the comments and edit fields at the bottom and most of the screen area dedicated to the Task Tree. Since the edit area isn’t tall enough to display all fields at once, it would be helpful to have the most important fields at the top so they’re always visible and easily editable without scrolling.

I’ve seen similar requests from others and would like to add my support for the option to manually order the edit fields. I’ve attached a screenshot of my task list as it appears in both versions for reference. In version 8.x, I can see and edit all nine important fields in an intuitive order, which greatly enhances usability.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this and whether a feature to manually reorder fields might be considered for future updates.

Thank you for your time and for all the effort you’ve put into improving ToDoList.

Best regards,

Yozi

[abstr]

Hi @yozi

I will definitely give it my consideration.

[yozi]

Hi Dan,

thanks, I am waiting for it.

[0RUBn0@gmail.com]

+1
I also had my edit fields next to each other since they don't need to occupy four complete lines like they do now. Is there a way to stack them horizontally again ? I looked in preferences. Tried to make them smaller, but no resize icon when i mouse over them except the one that resizesthe whole pane. And also possible to hide the 2 buttons on top? (Sort, Group)
Thanks in any case.

[abstr]

Hi @0RUBn0@gmail.com

Unfortunately, there is currently no option to either hide the toolbar at the top nor to arrange the fields horizontally.

[Ryan]

@yozi & @0RUBn0@gmail.com

Have you considered showing the Attribute Editor window vertically (to either the right or to the left of the Task View window) so you can see many attributes at one time and then creating a toolbar button ('Maximize Task View') to toggle the editor window visible/hidden? (you can also toggle it with Ctrl-M). This creates a very efficient use of space.

[0RUBn0@gmail.com]

Unfortunately, there is currently no option to either hide the toolbar at the top nor to arrange the fields horizontally.

Just out of curiosity, why did you remove that possibility?

Have you considered showing the Attribute Editor window vertically (to either the right or to the left of the Task View window) so you can see many attributes at one time and then creating a toolbar button ('Maximize Task View') to toggle the editor window visible/hidden? (you can also toggle it with Ctrl-M). This creates a very efficient use of space.

Not bad suggestion. Feels still space waste since I only have 4 fields and the file link edit is now too small, but I'll give it a try during programming to see if it's maybe better. It needs some experience... Thanks in any case.
EDIT: ACtually your seuggestion made me play with all the placements and I found the best option by setting comments and edit fields right, which makes the edit fields go below comments and that only takes much less window (because my comments control is smaller), which totally works for me. Thanks again..for indirectly making me do that.

[yozi]

@Ryan wrote:
Have you considered showing the Attribute Editor window vertically (to either the right or to the left of the Task View window) so you can see many attributes at one time and then creating a toolbar button ('Maximize Task View') to toggle the editor window visible/hidden? (you can also toggle it with Ctrl-M). This creates a very efficient use of space.

Yes, I have tried showing the Attribute Editor vertically. I have 9 fields to edit, so it is a waste of screen estate. In addition, since I use the ToDoList window side by side with another window, where I am actually carrying out the tasks in my task list, I loose a lot of information from my task tree. Half of the task's text is lost due to the space required for the Attribute Editor. Switching views is a pain, I am the most efficient if I see everything at once.

For me, the most value of ToDoList is the efficient UI for handling the task tree. Task tree is important, since this view gives the possibility to group the tasks in the tree and order them by drag-and-drop, simply putting the most important tasks to the top.

In the day planning phase, I arrange dozens of tasks in the hierarchy with minor attribute changes. This workflow breaks with the new Attribute Editor. Sometimes I switch views with Ctrl-M if the task has a long description, but that is the exception. In addition, the order of the fields is important, as it was asked in the title of the topic. Version 8 used a hand-crafted and very intuitive ordering of fields. The alphabetical order is very hard to work with, compared to the previous version.

[abstr]

Just out of curiosity, why did you remove that possibility?

It's a completely new approach to arranging the attributes that is in its first iteration and it would be a huge piece of work to support a horizontal layout.

[abstr]

I loose a lot of information from my task tree. Half of the task's text is lost due to the space required for the Attribute Editor. Switching views is a pain, I am the most efficient if I see everything at once.

Can you illustrate these issues with screenshots please...