Smart and Alpha Groups enable users to find information
quickly based on an alphabetical or numeric group range. The options
available are dynamically set and dependent on the information contained
within the People pane column.
- Smart Groups: Displays records by common alphabetical
group sensitive text. Smart Groups enable users to quickly find
information based on an alphabetical or numeric group range, depending
on the selected column within the People page. The options available
are dynamically set by the application and is dependent on the information
contained within the column. Once an option has been selected, the
application automatically filters all records that meet the selected
grouping. In addition, if you select Smart Groups again, Smart
Groups will continue to provide additional sort options that can
further be utilized to sort within the selected column.
- Alpha Groups: Displays records in general alphabetical
order. Alpha Groups provides users with quick-search options in
alphabetical or numerical order. In Alpha Groups the application
displays the number of records contained within the FIRST letter
or number of each data element contained within the selected column.
For instance, suppose there are 27 people, within the Person column
of the People page, with a last name that starts with the letter
S, a grey number 27 appears next to the letter S. Moreover, suppose
two people have the same name of John, a grey number two appears
next to their name. Once an option has been selected, the system
automatically filters all records that meet the selected grouping.
Once set, the Smart Group remains active throughout the application
until the Smart Group is cleared or upon system log out. Additionally,
if you select the Smart Group again, that Smart Group will continue
to provide additional sort options that can further be utilized
to sort within the selected column.
To display the Smart Groups / Alpha Groups window click the icon
to the right of the column header. The icon looks like a magnifying
glass prior to version 7.0 (the icon looks like binoculars as of
application version 7.0). As each filter selection is made the application
limits the records on the grid to satisfy the selection. Additional
sub-filter options based on the information on the grid allows you
to further define your search criteria. Smart and Alpha groupings
are not limited to one column. Multiple grouping selections may
be utilized from each of the available columns as long as they contain
data that is available for sorting.