Trees, Roots, and Nodes

The tree data structure is an important organizational tool found throughout PCR-360. Users can organize items hierarchically along a tree by creating new nodes and moving and deleting existing nodes. Tree Element Permissions can be set to Read, Deny, or Read & Write.

Accessing Items on a Tree

To access any item on a tree, click on any root or node. By clicking the tree root, the User sees all of the data encapsulated by the nodes beneath it displayed in the accompanying Grid.

By clicking on a specific node, the node's immediate Child records appears in the accompanying Grid. To edit a specific node, double-click the node or right-click the node and select Edit. This opens the node's data entry form.

Creating a New Node

There are three ways to create a new node. The "Right-Click" method, the "Add New Form" method and the "Copy to New Form - Option Menu" method.

1. "Right-Click" method: a User can right-click the tree root or any existing node which allows the User to create a new item; a new node appears with a text box to enter its name. After pressing the Enter key or clicking elsewhere, a data entry form opens that allows the User to add data to the new node. Keep in mind that if this data is not saved the node is removed from the tree.

2. "Add New Form" method: a User can select a specific node in the tree and click the Add button. The Add New Form will open and the User can enter details to be saved as a new node.

3. "Copy to New Form - Option Menu" method: a User can open an existing record and create a new record by going to the menu and selecting the Copy to New Form item. This new record will be saved in the same location as the original node.

Moving an Existing Node

There are two ways to move an existing node. The "Drag-and-Drop" method and the "Cut-and-Paste" method.

1. "Drag-and-Drop" method: simply drag and drop the node to the desired location. A node can be placed anywhere below the tree root. Existing nodes can have an unlimited number of Child nodes beneath them.

2. "Cut-and-Paste" method: right-click on an item, choose Cut, right-click again on the new location, and choose Paste.

Keep in mind that, when moving a Parent node, all of its Child nodes moves as well. Further, be aware that some trees may have restrictions on where nodes of particular types may be placed within the tree.

Deleting an Existing Node

There are three ways to delete an existing node. The "Delete from Tree" method, the "Delete from Grid" method and the "Delete from Form" method.

1. "Delete from Tree" method: the User must right-click on the item they wish to delete from the tree and select the Delete menu option.

2. "Delete from Grid" method: the User must select the the node they wish to delete, and click the Delete button located on the grid.

3. "Delete from Form" method: the User must open the record they wish to remove and click the Delete button at the bottom of the form.

The User is prompted to confirm the delete action, no matter which method they use. If a User deletes a Parent node, all of its Child nodes are deleted as well.

Expanding and Collapsing a Tree

Whenever a node is selected, the node expands to present the Children nodes beneath it. To collapse a specific Parent node, click on the triangular icon immediately to the left of the node name.

To revert to the tree's most compact form, click the Collapse button immediately above the tree.