View All Documents in Table by Default

[futurosity]

Don't know if this is possible, but I'd prefer it if the Table always displayed ALL the documents in the Draft folder. The way it works now, if I select a document to work on it, the Table only displays information on that document. I have to select the draft folder again to view the Table details for all of my files, such as Label and Status. I like to move around from one document to another and if I can always see the detailed information it would be more useful to me than just seeing the active document listed. Perhaps the active document could be highlighted when it is selected, but with ALL documents still displayed.

[KB]

I'm pretty happy with the way it works now, becuase it means you can select any directory and see only the contents of that folder. If you want the behaviour you suggest, instead of using the binder to open documents, use the table - that can be used to open documents too. So you would select the folder in the binder, then select the document in the table - this way, you get the best of both worlds.

[futurosity]

I don't think I was clear in my original message.

If I have only one document selected and see only the Table details for that document, the table loses much of its value for me. I agree that you may have too many documents to show ALL of the documents in the Binder, but what if it showed all of the documents in a given folder/group? In other words, if I select a document, all of the documents in the same folder would still be displayed in the Table. It isn't that I want to be able to OPEN documents from the Table—what would be useful is have the detailed information in the Table available at all times, especially for the Draft folder. If I'm working on a document, I want to be able to see which other files have the Status of To Do, for example, so as I finish one I can jump to another without first having to click on the folder icon to see all the table data for that folder. When the Table is displaying only one document there's a lot of empty space.

Anyone else have thoughts on this, or is it just a personal quirk on my part?!

Thanks!

[KB]

But what I'm saying is that because the table already does allow you to open documents, there is no need for this. In the binder, click on the folder for which you want details displayed in the table view. Then to open your documents, use the table view. That way, all of the info stays in the table, and you have the behaviour you want.

[futurosity]

Hmm. I'm not being clear. I don't care about opening files from the Table. What I want is to see the detailed information for ALL the files in a folder, regardless of which individual document is selected. If it's possible, display all files for a given folder regardless of which document is selected and highlight the currently selected document.

[KB]

No, I understand you perfectly. But I *do* care about opening files in a table. Please try it! Try these steps:

1) Select a folder in the binder.
2) Now, instead of clicking on a file in the binder to open it, click on the file ***in the table***.
3) Now, the document is open, and all the info you want is still in the table - the info for all the documents inside the folder selected in the binder. That is, you can, just as you want,

see the detailed information for ALL the files in a folder, regardless of which individual document is selected.

Just select the individual document in the table view instead of in the outline view, that's all.

What I am trying to say is that there is no need to change the current behaviour, because what you want is already there - you just have to open documents using the table instead of using the binder. This is standard behaviour for this sort of program; it is based on Apple's own major developer's tool, Xcode, and their Help system. This is what the table is there for... In other words, rather than me changing standard behaviour, try changing where you click.

[futurosity]

Ahhh, okay! I knew one of us was missing something and I'm not surprised that it was me. I'd already gotten into the habit on clicking individual documents in the Binder and watching all the info in the Table disappear, except for the selected document. But you're right, this is fine. Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks!

[KB]

Phew! Glad that is okay - I like this behaviour and was worried you were trying to say that you hated it.

[fgrieser]

Hi Keith.

I had similar problems grasping what the table was useful for. I, too, opend docs from the Binder and wondered why the table did not display the details for all docs opened (in windows). As the tutorial does not really contain much info on the table, I came here to see if I could find more info. After reading your explanation to Futurosity I got what I can use the tables for.

Maybe you should include your description in the next version of the tutorial :-)

Greeting from Bavaria,
Franz

p.s. I just started to explore Scrivener. So there is not much feedback from me, yet. But that will change.

[KB]

Thanks for your comments, Franz. Yes, the tutorial is really basic at the moment so I see why it can be confusing. I will add something about this to the tutorial in the near future.
Thanks,
Keith