Widget Templates in Freightools
Widget Templates are used to manage and organize the different preview layouts created in grids and reports. They allow users to maintain multiple structured views of the same data, depending on the task, role, or reporting need.
Background: How Grids and Reports Work
Each entity grid and report (for example CS, SO, selling invoices, buying invoices, and others) includes a Column Picker.
With the Column Picker, users can:
- Choose which columns are visible
- Hide columns that are not relevant
- Change the order of columns
- Rearrange columns using drag and drop
Once changes are applied, the grid or report will continue to appear in that same structure for the user until it is changed again. This creates a consistent working view tailored to the user’s needs.
Why Widget Templates Are Useful
Often, a single layout is not enough.
Different scenarios may require different views, such as:
- Operational monitoring
- Financial review
- Data export
- Performance tracking
Instead of repeatedly adjusting columns, Widget Templates allow you to save multiple views and switch between them whenever needed.
Creating a Widget Template
- Open the relevant grid or report.
- Open the Column Picker.
- Adjust the layout:
- Show/hide columns
- Reorder columns
- Drag and drop to refine structure
- Click the + button.
- Enter a clear name for the template.
- If the layout should be available to other users, check the Public checkbox.
- Save.
The template stores the exact column configuration you created.
Using Widget Templates
Once saved, templates can be selected whenever you open the grid or report. This makes it easy to switch between different working views without rebuilding the layout each time.
Examples:
- A detailed operational view with many columns
- A simplified view for quick monitoring
- A finance-focused view showing amounts and statuses
- An export-ready view with only required fields
Public vs. Private Templates
When creating a template:
- Private
Visible only to the user who created it. - Public
Available to other users.
Useful when teams need a shared structure for consistency.
Managing Multiple Views Efficiently
Widget Templates help maintain several layouts for different purposes, making it easier to:
- Work faster with focused data
- Avoid repeated manual adjustments
- Standardize views across teams
- Prepare grids for reporting or downloads
Using templates allows users to keep a number of structured views according to the different purposes for which the grid is used.
Deleting Redundant Templates
Over time, some templates may no longer be needed.
Redundant templates can be deleted through the Widget Template menu, located under:
Configuration (⚙️) → Service Management → Widget Templates
Removing unused templates helps keep the list organized and prevents confusion caused by outdated or duplicate layouts.
Regular cleanup ensures:
- Easier navigation
- Clearer selection of active views
- Better overall usability
Recommended Approach
- Create templates based on real use cases (operations, finance, exports).
- Use clear naming so users immediately understand the purpose.
- Share important layouts by marking them as Public.
- Periodically remove unused templates from the Widget Template menu to prevent clutter.
This keeps grids flexible while maintaining structure and efficiency.