How to enable client-side sorting and filtering in OutSystems lists for better UX?

 

Enabling Client-side Sorting and Filtering in OutSystems Lists

 

OutSystems allows developers to enhance the user experience (UX) of their applications by implementing client-side sorting and filtering on lists. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process of enabling these features in your OutSystems applications.

 

Prerequisites

 

• An OutSystems account and access to Service Studio with a project where you intend to implement sorting and filtering.
• Basic understanding of OutSystems data structures and Widgets.
• Familiarity with creating and using expressions in OutSystems.

 

Understanding Client-side Sorting and Filtering

 

• Client-side sorting allows users to rearrange list items based on a particular field without server interaction.
• Client-side filtering allows users to limit the list view according to specific criteria (e.g., search terms, categories, etc.).
• Both actions improve application UX by providing immediate feedback and reducing server load.

 

Setting Up Your List

 

• Open your OutSystems project in Service Studio.
• Create a list using the List or Table widget, pulling data from an aggregate or data query.
• Ensure your list is correctly displaying data fetched from the designated source.

 

Implementing Client-side Sorting

 

• Add a dropdown widget above your list to allow selection of the sorting field.
• Populate this dropdown with the fields by which the list can be sorted.
• Use the 'SortRecords' action from the ListSortUtils module available in Forge:
  1. Download and install ListSortUtils from OutSystems Forge.
  2. Create a local variable to store the selected sort criteria.
  3. On dropdown change event, call the 'SortRecords' action with the list you wish to sort, the sorting field, and the desired order (Asc/Desc) as inputs.
• Ensure the list refreshes after sorting to display the updated order to the user.

 

Implementing Client-side Filtering

 

• Add an input box for users to type filtering criteria, such as a search term or category.
• Create a button or trigger event upon text change to apply the filter.
• Use the 'FilterRecords' client action:
  1. Install ListUtils from OutSystems Forge if not already available.
  2. Create an expression that applies the filter based on values entered by the user.
  3. Filter the list dynamically by using the FilterList action of ListUtils, passing the list and filter expression.
• Optionally, display a message or indicator when no results match the filter criteria.
• Update the list display to reflect filtered results immediately using Ajax Refresh.

 

Testing Your Sorting and Filtering Implementations

 

• Use Service Studio’s Live Preview to test the sorting and filtering functionality.
• Ensure the dropdown correctly sorts the list and that changes are visible instantly.
• Verify that the input box filters results dynamically, showing/hiding items as criteria change.
• Test with various data sets to confirm reliability and performance improvements.

 

Deploying Your Application

 

• Once functionality is verified and user experience meets expectations, proceed to deploy your application.
• Monitor application performance post-deployment to ensure client-side operations do not burden user devices.
• Gather user feedback for further improvements; consider enhancing UX with better sorting/filtering criteria or UI.

 

By following these detailed steps, you can effectively implement client-side sorting and filtering in OutSystems lists, significantly enhancing your application's responsiveness and overall user experience.