Export To CSV - Dialogue and Advanced Options

Things that make you go Hmmmm?

Yesterday we were contemplating our "Export To CSV" dialogue (see screenshots below) that we present to users. We were mainly wondering if or how often users need to use Advanced Options - especially for changing Record Limit from 5000 to more. Also, might it be true that certain types of never use it (Employees, Requester types), some use it sometimes (semi-casual, Manager, Recruiter, Buyer) and some use it nearly all the time (power-users, Generalist, Admin, Payables Invoice Manager).

This lead us down a path to adding User Settings that would enable the power-user types to set their preferences - like Joan always wants Excel (vs CSV), Field Labels (not Field ID), and Record Limit of 15000 records. These settings would be defaulted in each Export to CSV dialogue then so Joan doesn't need to change them all the time.

Additionally, if there are unique lists that don't meet those default needs, say where All Records are always needed for some reason, Joan could still change the settings in the Export To CSV dialogue and the system could remember her specific settings on that specific export of that list for next time.

So the system can both generally default better for you and could remember your choices list by list on top of that.

Back to the basics then, how big of a pain point is dialogue for a few, some or all users? Is the investment in this feature worthwhile to you? Is the design approach laid out above the right approach?

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Export to CSV initial state:

Export to CSV - Advanced Options expanded:

Have you even noticed this being annoying or cumbersome? Very curious on thoughts and opinions.

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Comments

Stace Webley

I say those are great ideas. I'm one of those that needs to change it all the time, so I welcome those enhancements! The ability to have it be an individual setting and remember your previous choice would bring more satisfaction to our end users. When they can make personal choices about settings like that they get more enjoyment out of using it. Generally speaking, fewer clicks and the more personal it is the better.

curtis-evans

I agree with all comments Stace, well said.

This topic came up in a leadership meeting last week as well as a question posed to me. This would be seen as a win, especially if managed through personal settings.

unknown

I agree as well. I am always having to change the settings and think this would be a great enhancement.

Dr. Awesome

Hi All,

Circling back with an update on progress! - July 14th, 2022.

New tabbed Export to PDF dialogue:

New tabbed Export to PDF dialogue - showing simpler Font Offset options:

New tabbed Export to PDF dialogue - showing Content tab:

New tabbed Export to PDF dialogue - showing Content tab and simpler Record Limit options:

New tabbed Export to CSV dialogue - showing Display tab (similar to PDF overall):

New User Setting for setting a Record Limit default to "No Limit"!

Here is Print to PDF when it opens after changing your User Settings' Record Limit default to "No Limit" (No Limit defaulted and an indicator informing your as such, so you don't have to go check in Content):

Look for these changes in the October 2022 update.

XM Infor Communities (2023.10 What's New)-20231011_110322-Meeting Recording.mp4

unknown

What do you think of having the option to open PDFs and CSVs in a new tab instead of always downloading the file. Many times, the user will just use the downloaded file once and it will remain in their download folders.

Of opened in a new tab, they can save, print, copy / paste, without having to find the file in their download folder.

Roy

Dr. Awesome

Browser settings help here and let you specify if you want that file type always opened or not once it's downloaded. In Chrome there are options via the bottom left downloaded file area that let you "always open this file type".

unknown

The file is still downloaded and will need to be cleaned up. This is true for log files as well when a job is submitted.

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