Item Panels Overview

 

Panels are a way of creating content depth in SharpCloud, allowing users to discover more about the data within the story. 

• They are the building blocks of the data items
  • If a user opens an item, they will be shown the panels that the items contain.

Panels can be used to display structured and unstructured data.

• Example: a panel can display the item’s data-driven attributes, but can also display videos, documents and weblinks.

There is no limit on the number of panels an item can have.

By default, stories will start with 4 global panels:

• a title panel (an attribute panel set to display the item image and description)
• a relationships panel
• a tags panel
• a resources panel.

“Global” panels are set at the story setup level and automatically added to all items in the story unless the user opts to exclude one or more global panel in items belonging to certain categories.

Panel Types

There are several panel types, each of which can be used to provide a different type of content and insight into an item.

1. Text Panel – Stores rich text content such as a description or notes about the item.
   1. Use square brackets [ ] to include item-driven content, making panel content unique for each item.
      1. Example: Using [name] will insert the name of the specific item each text panel is associated with.
2. Image Panel – Hosts images for users to view and download.
3. Video Panel – Supports YouTube videos or MP4 files to be directly uploaded and played via the panel. 
   1. For other video providers, the HTML panel is a better option.
4. Attributes Panel – Displays attribute values of the user’s choosing.
   1. Example: Displaying the “Cost” associated attributes on a specific panel and then “Delivery” metrics on another.
5. Resources Panel
   1. For uploading files for users to download
   2. For clickable URLs associated with an item.
6. HTML Panel – For web based content
   1. Embedding online documents, videos or other SharpCloud views/stories.
      1. Purpose: When users view the panel, they will see the latest version of the document.
7. Relationship Panel – Displays all/selected items related to the primary item
   1. Includes any relationship comments to provide additional context and insight.
   2. Add new relationship panels and filter the content on the panel if using SharpCloud v9.1.0116 or higher.
8. Tags Panel – Displays the item's tags.
   1. Can be configured to display all tags (default) or specific tag groups.
   2. Add new tag panels and filter the content on the panel if using SharpCloud v9.1.0116 or higher. 
9. Plugin Panel – Select and display any Item Panel Plugin, which will show information pertaining to that item.
   1. Add a new widget panel if using SharpCloud v11 or higher.