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.

While it is not possible to rename columns (to remain consistent with M-Files workflow state) you can rearrange columns, color code column headers and minimize columns to make more space.

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.

The column context menu

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 Display Settings 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 columns

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 Display Settings from the board context menu after changing the colors. This requires the Manage Common Views role and will apply to all users of the board.

Minimizing and expanding columns

Sometimes there are too many columns or columns with purely technical states that are not important to 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.

Tips

The column header displays the number of cards in that column in brackets. This number is also visible for minimized columns.