Data grouping can be evoked using the click and drag feature to place column headings into the grouping section, as denoted by Drag a column header here to group by that column section above the grid.  Once placed there, the data will automatically be grouped by the data item selected.

 

When grouping is in effect, the grouped item’s header will appear above the data grid and the grid itself will be rearranged with the grouped items listed in the first column.  A sort will also be automatically placed on the grouped data.

 

Figure 8: Click and drag option to evoke data grid grouping

 

The user can view the contents of the grouped records by pressing the expand button () or they can hide the data by pressing the collapse button ().

 

Figure 9: Data grouping features

 

In Figure 9 (above) the the sort order that was placed on the Date field is still in effect.  In fact, when a data value is grouped it is also the top sort level item, as well.

 

A user can click on another data column header and the data will be further sorted, or sub-sorted, by the second data value.  In the example in Figure 10 (below), the top level sort is placed on the Date field followed by the Shipper Name.

Figure 10: Multiple sort effect

 

 

Multiple levels of grouping can occur, as well, by placing additional column headings into the group by area.

 

Figure 11: Grouping and sub-grouping in effect

 

Notice that the sub-group value is included as a sub-sort.

 

To un-list the detail rows associated to a group, press the collapse button () and to remove the grouping all together, click and drag the column heading(s) from the group by area back into the row below it.

 

The column grouping will be saved for each user and will be available the next time the user accesses the screen.  Refer to the Resetting the Data Grid section for more information.

 

These settings will also be saved upon exiting the application.  Refer to the Saving Data Grid Settings section for more information.