"Missing records" ux problem
original design
Transpose has a collapsable "Search panel" on the right side of the app that allows for multi-facet search, where users can pin multiple search filters (joined by an "AND") to filter their records and view a subset of them. All fields are filterable, and there are custom filtering options for each field (e.g. date fields can be searched in a range of dates, and in dropdown fields you can choose a specific dropdown value to filter by).
Transpose app, Search panel open, no search filters pinned. Original design was to show the pinned search filters in a consistent blue color (I don't have a screenshot of this).
problem
Users were adding filters to search for specific records, but then closing the Search panel and/or navigating away from the Solution, then upon returning to it and seeing only a portion of their records, contacting support in a panic about "missing records".
Transpose app with Navigation panel (left side) closed and Search panel (right side) closed. Can you tell whether this is all the records, or just a subset of them?
solution
To avoid confusion, we arrived at a 3-part Solution to alert users to the presence of pinned search filters:
- "Search Active" label - In all Search panel states (expanded and collapsed), we show the white "Search Active" label under the Solution title, next to the number of records found.
- Color-matched search filters - Pinned search filters get bolded, filled-in color that matches the Solution color, creating a much stronger visual indicator when the Search panel is expanded.
- Number icon in collapsed Search panel - To add another visual indicator when the search panel is collapsed, we added a number representing the quantity of currently pinned filters.
Search panel expanded
Search panel collapsed, number icon visible in upper-right corner.
Final result: Transpose app with Search panel open, and two search filters pinned.