* Named lists window?

[E Wilcock]

I would appreciate some guidance on the behaviour of record list windows.

I created a flag to mark a select group of people - As a new user the first thing I did each morning after opening fh was to run a query for people who had this flag and a list came up which could be repeatedly opened and closed by clicking its button in the left hand column of the program. (I dont know the name of this column.)

I am working down the select list, looking for on line records and at the same time examining the wider family in each case.

I began to wonder whether this was sensible - repeatedly running a query so I put all the people with the flag into a Named list. Instead of running a query, I go to View, named list and click on the list. A window opens with the list of people and then seems to remain open alongside the main list window. The only way I can get back to my Focus screen is to click on the magnifying glass.

I can now see how to close down this Named List window with the little cross top right, but can one reduce it or untether it? Because I like to have the property box open alongside the list of people (which I assume is the default).

I began to use the Named lists route as I got the impression that was what fh users would do. But any comments on the use of the list as opposed to the flag? Having the flag list button in the left margin was great.

But can I get that list in the margin without running a query?

[brianlummis]

Maybe not quite the solution you were looking for but have you tried tiling the windows either horizontally or vertically. I have a 24 inch screen and if I use the the Tile Vertically option under Windows in the main menu, I can get the Named List, the Focus Window and the Property Box all on my screen at the same time. This is much easier than opening and closing windows.

Brian

[Genie15]

Another alternative though an expense is to have a second screen. I've been using a second for over a year now and it works wonders.

[tatewise]

The vertical column on the left is the Navigation Bar that has an icon for every Workspace window open in FH.
i.e. Focus Window, Records Window, Diagram Windows, Report/Book Windows, Query Windows, Media Window, Map Window, Web Search Window as customised in Tools > Preferences > Workspaces.

As has been suggested, these windows can be managed in the Windows command such that more than one is visible at the same time, by tiling them, etc.

The Named List pane is permanently attached to the Records Window.

You can double-click anyone listed in a Named List to show their Property Box which can be docked alongside or float over the top, as is the case for any Workspace window as chosen in Tools > Preferences > Workspaces and altered using the button top right of the Property Box. Once it is open, it will change as each person is clicked just as in the Focus Window.

[E Wilcock]

Thank you - I do know the things you point out. Because I am used to working from the list of all people - to go to the focus window and the property box.

As far as custom Named lists go - Thank you. I experimented with the windows as suggested. My downfall then was not being able to get back to the default fh layout. I keep forgetting that one has to click the icons.

You seem to be saying Mike that Named lists do not reside in the left hand Navigation Bar. I think the way to have my selected names ready there is to revert to the Flag method.

[tatewise]

The Named Lists are part of the Records Window and once active remains active.
So just use the Navigation Bar icon for the Records Window (always the 2nd one down).
Your method of working from the Records Window list of all people is just the same for a Named List subset of people.
It is simply that the Named List is always docked to the right, but can be expanded by dragging the central vertical bar.

The Named List has the advantage of being to add Notes to each person that only exist in the Named List.
You cannot do that with Flags.
You can add or remove people for the Named List more easily than adding or removing a Flag.

[PeterR]

And a Named List can contain Family and Source records, as well as Individual records; Flags can only be on Individual records. It is possible to expand the Named List pane and effectively hide the main Records window pane, and to define additional Columns for the Named List pane. This provides quite some flexibility.

[E Wilcock]

Thanks - I have read and understood.
But I also managed to recreate the situation that been muddling me. I had assumed that if I have the named list open (14 people) and the property box, I then couldnt get at the full list of people.
Now you have shown me that I can open out the full people list by pulling it out from the left.
But at some point in the process the cross at the top right of the Named list gets concealed. And that has been the point where I repeatedly found I didnt know how to close the named list.
Now I have realised that the cross to close it is somewhere there, even if concealed, I have managed to escape from the bind that has been a real problem. It would probably only happen to someone like me - a relative beginner to fh who didnt understand that almost all windows will close with a cross top right. But that they are sometimes out of sight.

[tatewise]

You can always close a Workspace Window via its icon in the lefthand vertical Navigation Bar.
Right-click its icon and choose Close Window.
But you cannot effectively close the Records Window with the Named List attached because it is permanent just like the Focus Window.

If you mean open/close the Named List pane, then that is NOT by the X top right.
That is done via the Name Lists Pane button near righthand end of the main toolbar or via Lists > Named Lists Pane command.

[E Wilcock]

Now I see how confused it is possible to be. For I have lost even the focus window at times and even shut down the software to find it again.

So to make it simple, could I ask how fh users would set about the following. From a large Project, I want to investigate further a small group of 14 who were, for example manning, the same gun or were pacifists in the same prison - I have selected this group and now I want to look at their family backgrounds and their postwar future.

How would fh users then group them or list them in order to work down the list doing this further work?

One of the joys of fh is that one can select records, and have clickable names. But I wonder whether it might be simplest to revert to the old fashioned way and print a list of names and then tick them off one by one as looks into them?

[trevorrix]

The Focus window is always the first item in the Navigation Bar on the left.

I would add the 14 people to a Named List. Then as you finish investigating each person in turn, use the Delete key on your keyboard to delete them from the Named List.

[tatewise]

I suspect the Focus Window has got 'hidden' behind the Property Box when you click the Restore Down button top right between the Minimize - and Close X buttons. In that case clicking the Home button top left will restore it.
Same goes for the Minimize - button.
You can never actually Close the Focus Window because that brings up the warning that it will Close the Project.

A Named List is the perfect answer to managing a select group of people.
I second what TrevorRix has just said, and refer you to what PeterR and I said on Friday regarding the benefits.

[E Wilcock]

Yes, I have had that warning frequently too. Just too many buttons for my old brain.
Having another look, I see you are right and that I have confused the two rows of buttons top right.
I will have another try at the list method.
But I have just brought another Project in from TMG and have another massive data input task looming so will keep things simple for now.