Configuration

As soon as you click the "Apply" button to create a Flex AppBlock, you will arrive on the Configuration page (as shown below).

Top Section

Item Name - this name will appear in the left-hand menu inside the Platform; this name will not appear in the app itself.

Display Name - this name will appear as the title in the navigation bar inside the app.

Deep Link - this is only used with Gimbal beacons and geo-fences.  This value is copy/pasted into the Communication as the URL.

List Type - by default, "Basic" is selected.  If changed, you may notice different Configuration options further down the page.

Global Tab

Should Items be organized within a set of folders?  If you want to organize your list into specific categories, choose "Yes" for this question.  Typically, this option is set to "Yes" if there are a large number of items in the list; this will give the user the ability to quickly filter out the things they don't care about.  For example, I could organize a list of doctors into categories by department.  (Click to See Example)

Do you have a Server/Service/API that provides the content?  If you are going to upload data using a .csv file, then keep this set as "No".  If you want to feed the data from an outside server in MobileSmith's XML format, you will choose "Yes".  More often than not, if you have data that you want to integrate, you should look at the Component REST AppBlock.  (Click to See Example)

Create new content items?  If you want to manage the content for the list, choose "No".  If you choose "Yes", then the end user will be able to add new items to your list.  (Click to See Example)

Edit or update content?  If you want to manage the content for the list, choose "No".  If you choose "Yes", then the end user will be able to edit any item in the list.  (Click to See Example)

Delete content items?  If you want to manage the content for the list, choose "No".  If you choose "Yes", then the end user will be able to delete any item in the list.  (Click to See Example)

Should the App User's content items be sent to the server?  If you said "Yes" to create, edit, and/or delete, then you need to decide whether the changes a user makes will be made on the server.  If you choose "Yes", then all end users will see all changes.  If you choose "No", then only the person that made the change will see it.  (Click to See Example)

Should the Administrator/Moderator approval be required to publish the App User's content in the app?  If you said "Yes" to the above question, then you can decide to have an approval process before publishing any changes out to other users.  (Click to See Example)

 

CSV Upload tab

You can upload your data with a CSV file on the CSV Upload tab.  Just click the green "Select CSV File" button and select your file.  Click here to learn more about CSV files.


Sort Order tab

By default, items are sorted by last updated date.

If you want a different sort order, you can use your own data fields.  First, uncheck "Sort items by last updated date".  Then use drag-and-drop to arrange the fields in the desired order (primary sort field at the top) and then click to toggle ascending/descending.

You will only be able to use the following field types for sorting:

  • Short Text
  • Date
  • Date & Time

 

Content Publishing tab

You can give each data item a publish date and an expiration date.  You can then use these dates to limit which items are shown in the app.

Any view that is unchecked will display all items regardless of publish/expiration dates.

Once you have checked at least one view on the Content Publishing tab, you can modify an item's Publish Date and Expiration Date in AppOffice.  (otherwise these fields are not shown)