Group

A unique way of viewing data in AVCataloger is by setting group levels. Up to four group levels can be set, either by using the View...Current View...Customize Current View option or by showing the group box and dragging a column header into the group box, as shown below in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Adding a Group Level

Group levels cause the data to be grouped by like items of the group definition. In Figure 1 above, the Music area will be grouped by the like "Category" fields, then within that group will be further grouped by the Media data. When data is grouped, a group header is present showing an item count of the number of records within the group of the like kind. If configured and a price totaled, an asset value of the items in the group will be displayed.

Group levels can be set manually by using the Group preferences from the Group icon on the main toolbar or from the Customize Current View area. Figure 2 shows the options for configuring custom grouping.

Figure 2. Group Settings

The varying options shown in the group settings box show features such as the option to hide a column that is the group parent. Since you know what the data is being grouped on, the screen can be cleaned up by hiding the data field that is being grouped on. Group sort options can be set, as well as the group items in the group by box can be clicked to force a sort option. The Group By box can be hidden. It does not have to be in view to allow grouping, again providing a cleaner window configuration, however, the group by box is recommended if the group fields are hidden so you can remember what you are grouping on. The expanded/collapsed drop down configures the default view of the group. Groups can be collapsed by clicking the minus symbol creating a unique way of displaying your data, on demand.