Multi-record Custom Fields... improvements

[SemperFi]

That's really a great new feature to customize the Civi tool.
If you could develop the improvements presented by Dave Greenberg in his last blog post it'll be really cool, especially two of them:
# import or export custom fields that use the multiple records feature.
# use custom fields in Profiles when they're configured for multiple records

I've already tested multi-record Custom Fields, and I currently use 3 tabs with multi-record Custom Fields, without facing any problems. It seems to be alright!

However I'll suggest a few improvements regarding what already exist:

# to be able to sort the records in a different order (generally when you store information with a historic reference, you want to see the more recent one first, not a the end of the list.) A drag and drop feature like the one used to sort drupal blocks will be great !

# to be able to edit only one record, and not all at the same time, to avoid mistakes, and unintentional data losses.

# to be able to choose which record you want to display or to collapse within the group/tab

# in the same idea, to be able to give a different "name" to each record to be able to identify them when they're displayed collapse in the tab. The group/tab name is currently used for all the records.

# to be able to display the fields inside a record in one or two columns, to have more information displayed in the screen view, instead of scrolling.

# to have a custom data group, parent of an other one
   and in the same idea,
# to display "inline" the "child" custom data groups (with multiple records option activated, or not) within its parent custom data group (displayed in a tab)

For example:

Parent custom data group (Tab)

    * First "child" custom data group (Inline - with multiple records option)

        -First custom data field
        -Second custom data field

    * Second "child" custom data group (Inline - without multiple records option)

        -First custom data field
        -Second custom data field

That's all ! These suggestions are the results of my experiences with Multi-record Custom Fields. I regret not to have the knowledge to participate to the development of these features. I can only share my experiences, my ideas and report bugs to make this great tool move forward.

Hope it'll be useful
Thanks for your awesome work.

[Dave Greenberg]

Thx for testing this feature and for the detailed feedback and suggestions. I suspect we'll be doing a "phase 2" set of improvements for this feature in 2.3 - and we'll definitely reference these ideas. Having a way to order and "label" each record seems quite useful - and hadn't come up before.

Can you post back with a description of the data you are (or plan on) using this feature for so we get more live examples on our radar screen.

[SemperFi]

Thanks for your answer. I'm looking forward the 2.3 version of CiviCRM !
Concerning the type of data I'm using, this is especially:

• Alphanumeric : Text and Select

But also

• Date
• Link
• Note : Text area
• File

The data concern : personal achievements, personal involvements and specific information about trainings.

...

[petednz]

is there a setting to turn on the 'multi-record' feature in Custom Data. Just installed 2.2 and the option is there when I create a new Custom Data Group

[petednz]

NOTE TO SELF: no pete, it only appears once you select 'contacts' in "Used For" 

[petednz]

Am I right in saying that multiple records cannot currently be exported? (for the manual!)

Also noting that the list of fields in the "Fields to Include in Export File" are not in alphabetical order which makes finding things pretty hard.

[dharmatech]

you are correct. this old blog post lists some other limitations that should probably be in the book as well.

http://civicrm.org/node/504

tony

[petednz]

Good link - thanks Tony - had caught the rest of them fortunately.