How to Save and Load Custom Column Layouts

When building applications, one of the common requirements is the ability to customize the view for each user. This can be particularly important when ...

dealing with detailed views that contain numerous columns, as users may want to focus on different aspects or prioritize certain fields based on their workflow. In this blog post, we'll explore how to save and load custom column layouts in detail views using various techniques supported by popular development frameworks and libraries.

1. Understanding Custom Column Layouts
2. Why Save Custom Column Layouts?
3. Techniques to Implement Saving Custom Column Layouts
4. Pros:
5. Cons:
6. # Example Implementation in a Web Application:
7. Pros:
8. Cons:
9. # Example Implementation in a Server-Side Rendered Application (using Node.js and Express):
10. Pros:
11. Cons:
12. # Example Implementation with Google Cloud Firestore:
13. Considerations and Best Practices
14. Conclusion

1.) Understanding Custom Column Layouts

Before diving into the technicalities of saving and loading these layouts, it's important to define what a "custom column layout" means in this context. A custom column layout refers to the specific configuration of columns that a user has selected or arranged in their view. This can include which fields are visible, their order, sizes, and other properties that affect how data is displayed.

2.) Why Save Custom Column Layouts?

- User Preference: Users may prefer a layout that suits their specific needs or preferences.

- Performance: By saving the layout, you can ensure that only necessary columns are loaded, which can improve performance and reduce clutter.

- Accessibility: For users with disabilities or those using screen readers, having a customizable view is crucial for accessibility.

- Consistency: Ensuring consistency across different views helps maintain a uniform user experience.

3.) Techniques to Implement Saving Custom Column Layouts

A. Using Local Storage (Client-Side)

4.) Pros:

- Easy implementation.

- Works well with single-page applications (SPAs).

5.) Cons:

- Limited scalability and security if storing sensitive data.

- Not suitable for distributed systems or multi-device usage.

6.) # Example Implementation in a Web Application:

1. Saving Layout:

- Use JavaScript to store the layout configuration in `localStorage`.

function saveLayout(layout) {
localStorage.setItem('columnLayout', JSON.stringify(layout));
}

2. Loading Layout:

- Retrieve the saved layout from `localStorage` and apply it when the application initializes or loads a new record.

function loadLayout() {
const savedLayout = localStorage.getItem('columnLayout');
if (savedLayout) {
return JSON.parse(savedLayout);
}
return defaultLayout; // Fallback to default layout if none is set
}

B. Using Database Storage (Server-Side)

7.) Pros:

- Scalable and secure.

- Can be used across multiple devices with proper authentication.

8.) Cons:

- More complex implementation, especially for SPAs where state management can become an issue.

- Requires backend support to handle data persistence.

9.) # Example Implementation in a Server-Side Rendered Application (using Node.js and Express):

1. Saving Layout:

- Store the layout configuration in a database via API endpoints.

app.post('/saveLayout', (req, res) => {
const userId = req.user._id; // Assuming user is authenticated
const layout = req.body.layout;
db.collection('users').updateOne(
{ _id: userId },
{ $set: { columnLayout: JSON.stringify(layout) } }
);
res.send({ status: 'success' });
});

2. Loading Layout:

- Fetch the layout from the database and apply it when loading a new record or dashboard.

app.get('/loadLayout', (req, res) => {
const userId = req.user._id; // Assuming user is authenticated
db.collection('users').findOne(
{ _id: userId },
(err, result) => {
if (result && result.columnLayout) {
res.send({ layout: JSON.parse(result.columnLayout) });
} else {
res.send({ layout: defaultLayout }); // Fallback to default layout
}
}
);
});

C. Using Third-Party Services

10.) Pros:

- Ease of use and integration with existing services.

- Can provide additional features like synchronization across devices.

11.) Cons:

- Dependency on external services for data storage and security can be a concern.

- Limited control over the implementation details.

12.) # Example Implementation with Google Cloud Firestore:

1. Saving Layout:

- Use Firebase or Firestore to store user-specific layouts.

const db = firebase.firestore();
function saveLayout(userId, layout) {
db.collection('users').doc(userId).set({ columnLayout: JSON.stringify(layout) }, { merge: true });
}

2. Loading Layout:

- Retrieve the layout from Firestore based on user ID.

function loadLayout(userId) {
db.collection('users').doc(userId).get().then((doc) => {
if (doc.exists) {
return JSON.parse(doc.data().columnLayout);
} else {
return defaultLayout; // Fallback to default layout if none is set
}
});
}

13.) Considerations and Best Practices

- Security: Ensure that sensitive data is securely stored, especially when using local storage or third-party services.

- Performance: Optimize the loading and saving processes to avoid performance bottlenecks.

- User Experience: Provide clear feedback to users about what's happening with their layout settings.

- Scalability: Choose a method that scales well based on your application’s requirements, considering both client-side and server-side options.

14.) Conclusion

Saving and loading custom column layouts is essential for providing a personalized user experience in detailed views. By using techniques such as local storage, database storage, or third-party services, you can cater to different needs and ensure that users have control over their view configurations. Each method has its pros and cons, so choose wisely based on your application's architecture and requirements.

How to Save and Load Custom Column Layouts