Build apps
Views and the menu
A view is one screen of your app. It shows one table's records in one way. Build them under Build → Views.
#Add a view
Pick the table, the view type and a name. Then, for each view:
- its name and icon (from a large icon library, with search) for the app's menu;
- where it is in the menu: Desktop (computers), Mobile (phones and tablets), or both. With both off, the view stays out of the menu; people open it from other views or by link.
#View settings
Under Settings on a view you choose what it shows. Each type shows only the settings it uses (which ones):
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Fields | which fields show, in what order (none picked = all) |
| Filter | which records: an expression, e.g. [Status] <> "Done" |
| Sort | the default order (newest first when not set), ascending or descending |
| Group by | kanban columns, list sections, chart categories, timeline rows |
| Date / end date | the date a calendar, timeline or chart over time uses |
| Location | the field a map uses |
| Image | the picture on cards and list rows |
| Chart and measure | the chart kind and what it counts, sums or averages |
| Views | the views a dashboard shows |
| Steps | the steps of a step-by-step form |
| Buttons | hide the add, edit and delete buttons in this view |
| Rows per page | how many records a page shows (50 when not set) |
Hiding buttons only changes this view. Who may add, edit and delete at all is set under Security.
#Sorting and filtering for yourself
In table views everyone can sort and filter for themselves, like a spreadsheet: open a column's menu to sort, filter (by a condition or by ticking values) or hide the column, and drag a column's edge to resize it. appTown remembers each person's sort, filters and hidden columns per view, and their column widths per kind of device. Search sits at the top of every list.
#The menu
On desktop the menu is always at the side. On phones and tablets, the first five items sit in the bottom bar and the rest are under Menu at the top (with your other apps and Sign out). The menu lists views in the order shown under Build → Views; use the arrows to reorder them.
#Home page
Opening the app goes straight to one view. By default it is the first view in the menu; pick another under Build → Views → Home page. Someone who may not open that view gets the first view they can.
#Who sees a view
A view can be limited to some roles under Security. Views people may not open are left out of their menu, and opening one by link answers "not found".
#Export
Every list can be exported as CSV, JSON or SQL. See Import and export.