A CorasWorks view is comprised of all of the properties and settings that can be defined for a web part via the Display Wizard. This includes the sites and lists referenced, filters, display options, and more. The combination of all of those property settings are saved as a CorasWorks View and assigned a name by the builder. A single instance of a Chart Display can include one or more views.
By using multiple views, a single instance of a Chart Display can present an unlimited variety of information from any combination of lists and sites. You can present the same information in a variety of different ways, or show data from completely different list types. If you are using the CorasWorks Advanced components, you can use both standard views and views that show data pulled from a site. With CorasWorks views, you are not restricted to reference a single list type, or required to use multiple web parts to show different types of data.
In addition, all of the Data Displays support the use of central views. A central view is a CorasWorks view that is defined via the Central Views Wizard that can be referenced by any number of Data Displays. Instead of creating a new view within an instance of a Data Display, the builder can create a reference to an existing central view. You can update the properties in a single location and all Data Display iterations that reference that central view are automatically updated.
When a Chart Display is initially placed on a page, it includes one empty CorasWorks view out of the box. A number of default property values are set in this view, but the builder must identify at least the required properties in the Data Selection category in order for the display to return any data. These required properties include the sites, lists, and columns to reference.
If the builder makes multiple views available for use, the user can select any of them from a drop-down at the top of the display on the toolbar. The display will be updated to reflect the properties associated with that view. If there is only one view associated with a Chart Display, there will not be a Views option on the toolbar.
The CorasWorks Basic Components have a feature within the Display Wizard to allow a locally defined view to be saved as a central view. A “Promote to Central” option was added to the Display Wizard’s Views page.
To promote a locally created view to a central view:
1. On the Views page, click the Promote to Central icon to the far right of the view. The Promote to Central View page is displayed.
2. Use the Identify view location and List or library properties to identify where the central view should be saved. Once you have selected the location, the page is expanded.
3. The View Name, Description, and Category properties all default to the values identified for the local view, but can be changed. Only the View Name is required.
4. When you are finished, click Views to save the central view and return to the Views page, Apply to save the central view and remain on the current page, or Finish to save the central view and close the Display Wizard.
The view is now saved as a central view and can be edited, copied, or deleted via the Central Views Wizard.