The Content Explorer is the master content view for managing content in the pro client content system. It delivers a folder and item interface similar to the Windows Explorer tool - allowing users to organize and manage their content and folders. The Explorer is just one of the ways of viewing content in the Content Manager toolset - however, it has the richest functionality.
The explorer is usually the default view presented to users if there are no favorites or recent items. This can be configured in your user defaults.
Explorer Workspace
The third icon in the Content Manager takes users into the Content Explorer view (orange arrow below):
Item list
The "item list" (purple box above) is visible in every content view, not just the explorer. It shows a list of content items that match the selections, search, filters, and so on selected on the page. The list contains files of all the content types (associated with the apps: Discover, Tabulate, Present, and Publish), and any sub-folders contained within the selected parent folder.
For information about how you manage the items in this view, see Item Mechanics.
Folder Tree
The folder tree (green box) shows the core domains accessible to all users on the platform:
- My Content - A personal domain of content accessible only to the logged in user.
- Workgroup Content - A domain of content accessible to all users who have COMMON roles in the system. In effect, there is a workgroup folder for each role, with each member of that role having read-write access to content. This is perfect for informal content sharing.
- Public Content - A shared content domain that is accessible to users and roles based on a SPECIFIC role assignment by folder and content item.
Shared Items
When a Sender invites you to share an artifact, it is typically "copied" to your Shared Items folder. This folder is located under My Content and visible in your Favorites folder by default.
- Click here for more information about sharing and your Shared Items folder
Using the Folder Tree
The folder tree is used as a classic organization tool - and users can copy / paste, cut / paste, and delete folders as described in more detail here.
Top Navigation Bar
The top navigation bar, which can be seen in various forms across most content views, is comprised of three sections in the explorer view (left to right):
Folder Navigation and Breadcrumbs
The folder navigation bar shows the folder you are currently in. It acts as a Breadcrumb trail, allowing you to click on a segment in the trail to jump to a previous folder in the tree. There are also navigation buttons (Up, Left , and Right) that allow you to navigate the tree exactly as you would in any explorer tool (for example, Windows Explorer):
- Back and Forward: Go back and forward to previously selected folders.
- Up: Go up the folder tree structure to the current folder's parent folder.
Quick Search
Quick search (Magnifier icon) lets the user search for items by their name or description within the context of the current selection. For example, in the Content Explorer view this means within the current folder and its sub-folders.
Switches
For each view, the user has access to certain switches (blue box above). This includes:
Add a Folder
Content Explorer only. Add a new sub-folder to the currently selected folder. This option is only enabled in folders where you have write access.
Paste clipboard item
If you currently have a cut or copied item on your clipboard, the Paste option (purple arrow below) is shown in the Navigation Bar:
Navigate to the folder that you'd like to paste your item to and do one of the following:
- Click Paste to paste the copied or cut item into the new location.
- Open the Paste drop-down and then Deep Paste from the sub-menu, to paste your selected item and the entire tree of items beneath your selected item into the new location.
Note: This option will be disabled in locations where pasting is not supported.
- Click here for more information about Pasting
Display Mode
The display mode, or "view," sets the appearance of the content items in this view:
- Detail List: Shows a grid-like display of content items with various details.
- Content List: Similar to the detail list but incorporates a snapshot (or thumbnail) of each item.
- Tile List: Shows all the content items as large tiles including a snapshot (or thumbnail).
Content Type Filter
This button lets the user filter the types of items in a given view that will be shown in the list. For example, if you clear the Unselect All checkbox and then select the Discovery checkbox, only discoveries are shown.
Show Deleted Items
Content Explorer only. Show soft-deleted items, so that they can be managed and potentially restored.
Explorer Functions and Actions
The explorer functions are split between those affecting the folder tree (green box) and those affecting the items (purple box). In some cases, there are common actions between these two elements while there are also similar actions that behave differently depending on whether the target is a folder or content item. Finally, many of the actions can be accessed from multiple content views in the content manager and are not exclusive to the explorer view.
- Click here for more details on folder related actions and tools.
- Click here for more details on content item related actions and tools.
Item Mechanics
Once items are selected, the various context menus and tools are exposed. This can be done on a single item or on multiple items as a collection - including folders. For more details about the item mechanics in the content manager and the different content views, see Content Item Mechanics.