Advanced Grid - features and how to use them

This help article covers the core capabilities of advanced grids as used in the LIS (e.g., Orders, Patients, Results). It explains how to find data, customize the view, and take action efficiently. Feature availability may vary by screen and your permissions.

Grid anatomy

• Column headers: Show field names, sorting indicators, filter icons.
• Group panel: Drag a column header here to group by that column.
• Filter row / header filters: Quick, column-level filtering tools.
• Search/find panel: Full-text search across visible columns.
• Footer: Totals/averages/counts (summaries), status, paging.
• Context/action column: Row-level actions (open, print, resend, etc.).

Find and filter data

Quick filtering (per column)

• Header filter: Click the funnel/filter icon in a column header to select values or apply operators like equals, contains, begins with, ends with, greater/less than, between (dates/numbers).
• Auto-filter row (if enabled): Type directly under the column header; pick the operator from the small filter glyph.

Tips:

• Dates: Use between/relative ranges (e.g., last 7 days).
• Lists: Use checklist filters to include/exclude specific values.
• Clear a filter via the column’s filter icon → Clear, or use “Clear All Filters” in the toolbar/column menu.

Advanced filtering (Filter Editor)

• Build multi-condition queries with AND/OR, parentheses, and nested groups.
• Mix operators across columns (e.g., Client = “City Clinic” AND Status = Final AND (Destination = Fax OR Portal)).

Search/find panel

• Enter text to search across visible columns; matches are highlighted as you type.
• Combine search with filters for precise results.

Sort, group, and summarize

Sort

• Click a column header to sort ascending → descending → none.
• Multi-sort: Hold Shift and click additional columns.
• Sort by summary (in grouped views): Sort groups by a summary value (e.g., group total count).

Group

• Drag a column header into the group panel to group by that column.
• Multi-level grouping: Drag more headers (e.g., by Client, then Patient).
• Expand/collapse groups from the group row; right-click group header for expand/collapse all.

Summaries

• Total summaries: Show Count, Sum, Min/Max, Average in the footer.
• Group summaries: Show aggregates per group (e.g., orders per client).
• Custom summaries (if enabled): Calculated via business logic for specialized metrics.

Customize columns and layout

Show/hide and reorder

• Column chooser: Add/remove columns.
• Drag to reorder, or right-click header → Best Fit to auto-size width.
• Pin/freeze: Keep important columns (e.g., Accession, Patient) fixed on the left/right.

Formatting and calculations

• Conditional formatting: Color rows/cells based on rules (e.g., critical results, failed deliveries).
• Unbound/calculated columns (if provided): Display computed values (e.g., age from DOB).
• Display formats: Dates, numbers, and currency respect configured formats.

Save your view (layouts)

• Save current filters, sorts, grouping, visible columns, and widths as a named Custom View/Layout.
• Load a saved view with one click; set a default to auto-apply when opening the grid.
• Share layouts with your team if your role allows.

Tip: Create task-specific views like “Final Today,” “Billing Holds,” “Recollect Queue,” “Fax Failures.”

Select, edit, and act

Selection

• Row selection: Click to select; Ctrl/Cmd-click to select multiple; Shift-click for ranges.
• Checkbox selection (if enabled): Use the top checkbox to select all on page/current filter.

Inline editing (if permitted)

• Edit values directly in cells; press Enter to commit, Esc to cancel.
• Batch edit: Make multiple changes and save/apply in one action.
• Validation: Required fields and format masks enforce data quality; fix highlighted errors before saving.

Actions and context menu

• Row actions: Open order, preview/print, resend distribution, add additional copy, toggle holds, create case, add tags, view audit.
• Bulk actions: With multiple rows selected, use the toolbar/More Options to run actions in batch (e.g., export, requeue sends, tag).

Note: All actions are audit-logged with user, timestamp, and details. Access depends on your role.

Exporting and printing

• Quick export: Export the current grid (visible columns, filters, grouping, sort) to Excel/CSV/PDF.
• Form-based export: Use dedicated “Export…” dialogs to define columns, filters, and formats for batch exports.
• Printing: Print current view or use WYSIWYG/print previews when available.

Compliance reminder: Exports may contain PHI. Follow your organization’s privacy and security policies (encryption, secure storage/sharing).

Performance tips for large datasets

• Filter early: Start with date range or client/site to reduce result size.
• Keep views lean: Hide rarely used columns to speed rendering.
• Use grouping sparingly: Deep nesting can slow navigation; save heavy grouping to dedicated views.
• Server/virtual mode (admin-configured): The grid can stream data and aggregate server-side for high performance on large tables.

Keyboard and usability tips

• Ctrl + Enter to Add or Update

Note: Hover the mouse over the buttons for additional hot keys

Troubleshooting

• “I can’t find a column”: Open the Column Chooser; ensure the column isn’t grouped or hidden. Reset layout if needed.
• “My grid looks wrong”: Use Reset Layout to restore defaults, then reapply your saved view.
• “Totals aren’t updating”: Check that summaries are enabled and that you’ve refreshed data after filtering.
• “Export is missing fields”: Ensure required columns are visible, or use the export form to include specific fields.
• “Batch actions are disabled”: Verify selection and permissions; some actions require specific statuses.

Best practices

• Create named Custom Views for your recurring tasks and set a sensible default.
• Keep columns consistent within your team to make handoffs easier.
• Use tags and categories to make filtering and reporting more effective.
• Document and save complex filters in views instead of rebuilding them ad hoc.
• Always verify destinations and statuses before bulk resends or billing actions.