The Record Detail Widget in SmartSuite allows users to display and interact with specific fields from a selected record. This widget is highly customizable and enables users to manage key details of records, whether for viewing or editing, directly within a dashboard. This article will guide you through configuring and using the Record Details Widget for a variety of use cases.
Overview of the Record Details Widget
The Record Details Widget is designed to display field values from a selected record. It allows for both viewing and editing fields directly on the dashboard, giving you the flexibility to interact with records without opening a separate view.
Key Features:
Editable Fields: Users with permission can modify field values directly from the widget.
Resizable and Expandable: Customize the size and layout of the widget to fit your dashboard's design.
Dynamic Field Display: Choose which fields to display and customize their arrangement.
Real-Time Updates: Changes made to records are automatically updated across connected widgets and users.
How to Add a Record Details Widget to Your Dashboard
Navigate to your Dashboard: Open the dashboard where you want to add the widget.
Select 'Add Widget': From the dashboard toolbar, click on the "Add Widget" button and choose the Record Details Widget.
Select the Source Widget: Choose an existing Record Picker Widget as the source for your Record Details Widget.
Note: If no Record Picker Widget exists, a validation message will prompt you to create one.
Widget Configuration Options
General Tab
This tab allows you to configure the basic settings of the widget:
Heading Section:
Title: Define a title for your widget.
Description: Add a description to clarify the purpose of the widget.
Caption: Add any additional information that may be useful for the widget users.
Source Section:
Source Selector: Select the Record Picker Widget that will provide the record for this widget.
Fields Tab
The Fields Tab allows you to customize the fields displayed in the widget. You can add, remove, and modify field properties.
Add Field:
Click Add Field to open a dropdown with available fields from the source record.
Use the search bar to quickly locate fields.
Once a field is selected, it will automatically appear in the widget display.
Remove Field:
To remove a field, click the delete icon next to the field name. No confirmation is required, and the field will be removed immediately.
Modify Field Properties:
Permissions: Define whether the field is editable or read-only.
Display Field Name: Toggle whether the field’s name should be displayed.
Help Text: Choose whether help text appears as a tooltip or below the field name.
Column Width: Adjust the width of the field display (1-4 columns).
Re-arrange Fields:
Use drag and drop to reorder fields within the widget. The position of fields is determined by their width and the widget's total width.
Permissions and Editing Fields
The Record Details Widget supports permission controls to define who can edit specific fields:
Editable Fields:
Users with edit permissions can change field values directly from the widget.
Changes are applied immediately once the user clicks outside of the field.
Read-Only Fields:
Fields marked as read-only can still be viewed but not edited, even by account admins.
Style Tab
Customize the visual appearance of the Record Details Widget using the Style Tab:
Background Color:
Choose from white, neutral, or custom colors.
The custom color option allows you to select from a palette that includes the solution's color by default.
Use Cases for the Record Details Widget
1. Customer Management Dashboard:
Scenario: A customer service representative wants to view and update key customer information such as contact details, order history, and support tickets.
Widget Setup: Display fields like "Customer Name", "Email", "Phone Number", and "Support Status". Make the "Support Status" field editable so that the representative can update it directly from the dashboard.
Outcome: The representative can quickly update customer information in real-time without navigating away from the dashboard.
2. Sales Pipeline Dashboard:
Scenario: A sales manager wants to monitor active deals in the pipeline and update their stages.
Widget Setup: Add fields like "Deal Name", "Deal Value", "Stage", and "Assigned Sales Rep". Allow editing of the "Stage" field so sales representatives can update it as they move deals through the pipeline.
Outcome: The sales team can efficiently manage their pipeline with real-time updates to deal stages, improving visibility and performance tracking.
3. Project Management Dashboard:
Scenario: A project manager needs to track the status and progress of different tasks within a project.
Widget Setup: Display fields such as "Task Name", "Assigned To", "Start Date", "End Date", and "Status". The "Status" field can be editable, allowing the project manager to update the progress of tasks directly from the dashboard.
Outcome: This setup ensures that project progress is monitored and updated in real-time, providing clear insights into task completion and bottlenecks.
Sharing a Widget
Widgets, including the Record Details Widget, can be shared with other users. When shared:
Users can view and interact with the widget based on their permissions.
Shared widgets ensure that team members have access to the data they need, improving collaboration and data transparency.
By incorporating the Record Details Widget into your SmartSuite dashboards, you can easily manage, view, and edit your data in real-time, streamlining your workflows and improving productivity.