Page 1 of 1

display multiple Query Windows

Posted: 27 Jun 2014 11:34
by jimlad68
I'm hoping this is simple but I can't figure it out from the help or manual.

I am trying to display multiple Query Windows, but whenever I do a 2nd query, the original window is reused.

The help says "The Records and Query Windows can never be re-used" which suggests to me that you have to delete them rather than automatic re-use, I can only think that it means you can only have one.

Having multiple query windows (or records) open could be very useful.

The only way around this I can think of is to save the output of the query, but this removes the "clickability" of the query. Another option might be to run a 2nd instance FH. (I have submitted another topic on instances).

Re: display multiple Query Windows

Posted: 27 Jun 2014 12:24
by tatewise
Yes, FH only allows one Focus Window, one Records Window, and one Query Window to be open at a time.

As you suggest, a possible workaround is multiple instances of FH.

Re: display multiple Query Windows

Posted: 27 Jun 2014 13:01
by jmurphy
Hi, Jim -- I'm reviewing prior work right now, so I'm interested in workflow. What kinds of queries do you run where it is useful to have the product of one while you are running another?

Re: display multiple Query Windows

Posted: 27 Jun 2014 14:27
by jimlad68
jmurphy, I'm new to FH and still "prepping" my data before I key new items, but there must be 100s.
-Any situation where you want to compare one set of results with another - going backwards/forwards
-perhaps sort in different ways
-list of sources against another query
-many of the plugins give their results in the query window, hence you loose the query that might have instigated the plugin.
- etc etc

Indeed, it would be nice to have them floating (or on 2nd windows screen. (I usually have my focus/record/other windows set to floating on my 2nd screen)

One could live without it, but that is what "windows" is all about.

Re: display multiple Query Windows

Posted: 27 Jun 2014 16:21
by jmurphy
I'm sure you have good reasons -- however, if you post specific examples of something you are trying to accomplish, the experienced users here (more experienced than yours truly -- I am just getting back to FH after a hiatus, so I am rusty) often have already worked out efficient ways of doing that task.

For taking the results of a query and sorting it in different ways, I sometimes dump the results to a spreadsheet (I use LibreOffice) and create different tabbed worksheets so I can sort the results in multiple ways. That allows me to quickly switch from one sort to another while preserving the search results.

Another option might be to save the results of one query to a Named List, which you could consult while running the second query.

Re: display multiple Query Windows

Posted: 27 Jun 2014 17:33
by jimlad68
jmurphy,

thanks for those thoughts,
- the report option is one I have already used, also allows for simple tick off sheet
- I like the "save the results of one query to a Named List" pity it can't also float, but you can add the columns you need.

However what I have managed to do is "stretch" my FH window across 2 screens, then tile the windows so that more screens are visible at one time.