Managing Board Columns

In Kanbanoo the columns of a board correspond directly M-Files workflow states. The only exception is M-Files assignments which are displayed on a default Assignments board with three or two columns.

You can rearrange columns, color code column headers and minimize columns to make more space. You can also hide columns completely or rename them.

Most actions on columns are started via the column context menu, which you can open by pressing the right mouse button over the column header.

All actions except minimize and expanding a column require the Manage Common Views role.
Column context menu

The column context menu

Minimizing and Expanding Columns


Sometimes there are too many columns or columns that are not important to certain users. To make space for relevant columns you can fold in or minimize any column. This is a per-user setting that will automatically be saved across sessions and requires no special privileges.

Minimize a column


Select Minimize from the column context menu.

Expand a column


Select Expand from the column context menu or double-click the minimized column strip.

Rearranging Columns


It's common practise to read Kanban boards from the left to the right, i.e. cards start in the left-most column and progress to the right. Since M-Files does not sort workflow states in sequential order you may want to rearrange columns.

Move column to left


Select Move Left from the column context menu.

Move column to right


Select Move Right from the column context menu.
To save the new arrangement presistently across sessions you must also select Save As Common Board Settings for This View or Save As Default Board Settings for All Views from the board context menu after changing the column order. This requires the Manage Common Views role and will apply to all users of the board.

Color Coding Dolumns


To aid users Kanbanoo offers color coding of column headers. The built-in color scheme uses a ■ blue ribbon for the Backlog (new work), a ■ yellow ribbon for Doing or work-in-progress and a ■ green ribbon for Done or completed work. Furthermore a ■ red ribbon can be used for Discarded work and other exception states.

To color code a column select the appropriate menu item from the column context menu.
Cards in columns coded as Done or Discarded will not highlight deadlines that have passed.

To remove the color code from a column select the Remove Semantics from the column context menu.
To save the new color codes presistently across sessions you must also select Save As Common Board Settings for This View or Save As Default Board Settings for All Views from the board context menu after changing the column order. This requires the Manage Common Views role and will apply to all users of the board.

Hiding Columns


Sometimes there are purely technical workflow states that are not important to users. You can hide such columns completely so they don't confuse users. This is a common setting that will affect all users and requires the Manage Common View role.

Hide a column


Select Hide from the column context menu.

Unhide a column


Select Unhide from the column context menu, then select the corresponding sub-menu entry.
To save the new arrangement presistently across sessions you must also select Save As Common Board Settings for This View or Save As Default Board Settings for All Views from the board context menu after changing the column order. This requires the Manage Common Views role and will apply to all users of the board.

Renaming Columns


If column names don't make sense for users, you can ask the M-Files adminstrator to change the name of the workflow state. If that is not possible or desirable you can rename a column in Kanbanoo and it will have no effect elsewhere in M-Files. This is a common setting that will affect all users and requires the Manage Common View role.

Select Rename from the column context menu or click on the column name. Then enter the new name in the text control and press Enter or click the Checkmark button.
To save the new name presistently across sessions you must also select Save As Common Board Settings for This View or Save As Default Board Settings for All Views from the board context menu after changing the column order. This requires the Manage Common Views role and will apply to all users of the board.

To get back the original name of the workflow state, select Rename then delete the name and press Enter.

Tips


  • The column header displays the number of cards in that column in brackets. This number is also visible for minimized columns.
If you encounter any problems please write to support@kanbanoo.com to ask for help.