Enhancement Request: "Show Columns" Option in Grid Settings

ACDC

Please consider adding a new option to the grid settings: "Show Columns", with a single button placed in the panel operations area to activate it.

Currently, enabling column configuration requires turning on the "Show Column Menu" setting, which adds an icon to each column header. This not only takes up valuable space but also clutters the layout—especially since this is a universal setting and doesn't require per-column configuration.

The existing column menu primarily serves filtering purposes. However, with the introduction of more advanced filtering features, these individual icons are becoming redundant.

Implementing a centralized "Show Columns" option will result in a much cleaner and more streamlined grid and reference layout, enhancing both usability and visual appeal.

ACDC

Alternatively,this seems to be a simpler solution: consider removing the column menu icon from each column header. Instead, allow the column menu to be accessed by simply clicking on the column header itself to initiate the column menu. (..that's if "Show column menu" is set in the grid settings)

Jaymer

ACDC yes, but clicking the column header activates the sort.

99% of my grids do not have the column menu. Those three dots are annoying and eat up pixels, I’ve minimized the padding with CSS, but I still prefer if there weren’t three dots spread all the way across every column heading.

ACDC

Jaymer

This would not effect you because you haven't got "Show column menu" active on the grid settings, so the sort is still there as normal

What I am suggesting, if the "Show column menu" option is set in the grid configuration, instead of the 3dot icon, override the default header click sort behavior. Clicking anyone of the Column Headers will produce the pop up menu with all the options.

There is no need for the 3 dot icon. Also sort is still available depending on which header you clicked as the sort is now an option in the pop-up - it just makes sense.

Jaymer

Users, by default, don’t even know you can click on a column and sort it.
At least having the three buttons there is something to draw your attention… And someone would naturally click on it to see what it does.
And I do have this on several Grids across multiple apps where additional functionality is needed, and administrator will certainly use it.
But if we remove the three dots, which We agree we don’t like, and it takes up space, then you still have the issue of a user not realizing they can click on the column heading to do anything… Until they are trained or just get used to it.

I don’t like how a column by default sorts in ascending order when you click the column, heading to sort.
Because it can take a second or two depending on the settings of the grid.
And what you really wanted was descending, so you have to click it again And take another one or two seconds.

And I don’t like how after a grid is refreshed, the user loses his place.
It would be nice if the one record that was changed could be updated IN PLACE which John Talbot proved was doable several years ago.

ACDC

Lets ignore my alternative suggestion and go with what I originally wished for :

Please consider adding a new option to the grid settings: "Show Columns", with a single button placed in the panel operations area to initiate the Show Columns pop-up.

Implementing a centralized "Show Columns" option button will result in a much cleaner and more streamlined grid when column configuration is all that is needed

Jaymer

The three dots is also the only way to do a correct range of values for a filter.
It would be great if you could selectively turn that on by column, and not just universally with the “show columns menu” checkbox.
I have tons of grids that do not offer save and restore state , So usually do not need column selection.
But some grids absolutely have to have it for flexibility.
Current export to PDF is limiting as well… And I think there were some improvements coming into column names, and maybe hiding of hidden columns in the export.