AdminTemplateColumns

[Pete]

Hi folks

This isn't a new concept, but since I use this on several sites and was getting frustrated by having to add the fields and put the CSS in the admin template's CSS file to have it overwritten on updates I thought I'd make it into a module where it should work regardless of which admin template you use and shouldn't be affected by updates since the CSS to hide the fieldset's container styles is now in a separate CSS file completely.

Unfortunately I can't find the original topic where this concept was introduced (if anyone can find it, please link to it as I can't take credit for the idea), but essentially what the module does is create a left and right columns that are actually fieldsets, and you simply add the fieldsets to your template and place fields in each of the columns to suit yourself.

Enough chit-chat, the screenshot below will explain it better:

I think when this was originally discussed it was back before ryan had introduced field widths, but I think this still has a place for where you have differing heights of field (as per the ASMSelect field on the right of the shot) where using field widths would result in a space before the next row of fields. In fact, this works especially well on pages where you have small bits of information to enter and want to leave a larger left column for text editor, image and file fields.

The beauty of now having variable width columns per-template now as well is that you can change the fieldsets from their set widths of 70% and 30% respectively to whatever suits your needs on a particular template.

Download from the modules directory.

Usage

1. Download and install the module above
2. Add admin_column_left and admin_column_right fieldsets to your template and put the fields in the relevant column fieldsets
3. (Optional) change the field width for either column, taking care to leave 1% for a gap between the two columns (default is left column at 70%, right column at 29%)

That's it!

[Martijn Geerts]

Hey Pete you mean this:

http://processwire.com/talk/topic/4398-two-column-admin-theme-concept/?p=43209

this concept is even simpler

[thistimj]

Pete, I think you're referring to this post by renobird: http://processwire.com/talk/topic/2002-repeating-events-multiple-datestimes-for-datepicker/?p=18862

[Pete]

Martijn - no, it wasn't that one, it was renobird's idea that thistimj linked to above - I like renobird's solution as it should work with any admin theme now it's a module

[Martijn Geerts]

Actually the modules do the same, except mine is not creating the fieldsets.

[diogo]

Martijn, there is a difference. Your module applies it to all fieldsets and Peter's doesn't.

[Martijn Geerts]

Tnx diogo!, excuses Pete

[Pete]

Plus mine is more about creating two columns where variable-height fields will play nicely if you check the screenshot

[owzim]

Great addition Pete, thanks. Already using it. It should be in the modules directory.

[Marty Walker]

Another vote for submitting this to the modules directory

[renobird]

Pete,  

Nice one! I use a 2-column view a lot in my admins.

[Pete]

Will upload it to modules directory next week when I'm back home

[Pete]

Now available in the modules directory: http://modules.processwire.com/modules/admin-template-columns/

[horst]

EDIT:

SOLVED: http://processwire.com/talk/topic/4562-module-spex-an-asset-and-template-management-module/#entry46402

I have found a solution with the Spex module, sorry for bothering here!

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@Pete: thanks for the two columns in Admin!   It's really helpfull.
 
But also I run into a little issue with the css filename you use. It is appended a ?v=100 to it, and that seems to crash the Minify module. Haven't investigated further because I use Spex together with Minify and all is new to me.
 
But I'm also wondering why the css of the admin backend is loaded in a front end page? Is this because I'm logged in and all styles & js of the modules get loaded automatically?

complete URL to call Minify is: /site/modules/Minify/min/?f=/site/modules/AdminTemplateColumns/AdminTemplateColumns.css?v=100,/site/template/styles/main.css

I don't know where the process should be tweaked (admintemplatemodules, minify, spex, pw-styles-loader) but as you have done this one and the Minify module I've thought here is a good place to ask.

Edited October 19, 2013 by horst

[ryan]

Pete, I've really been enjoying this module. For the new admin theme, I had to make a small adjustment (margin-left: 0) to the last part in the CSS: 

#Inputfield_admin_column_left > div, #Inputfield_admin_column_right > div {
        background: none;
        border: none;
        padding: 0;
        margin-left: 0; /* ryan added this */
}

That change doesn't appear to cause any issues with the old admin theme either. 

[alan]

Love this Module Pete, thanks a lot! This + Field Dependencies is simply making the admin experience powerful and simple—Fab!

[NorbertH]

Is there a way to combine this whith FieldsetTab?

[mikhail]

I am getting the same notification "Compiled file: /site/modules/AdminTemplateColumns/AdminTemplateColumns.module " on every page of the PW admin. I dismiss the notification but it still pops up on every admin page.

What is going on?

[tpr]

Offtopic: if you happen to use adminonsteroids module you can enable a simiar tweak:

https://github.com/rolandtoth/AdminOnSteroids/wiki/Misc

[fbg13]

@mikhail The Fieldset field can also be used to achieve that.

 

[mikhail]

fbg13, oh that's great to hear, I will remove the module and look into Fieldset field. Thanks!

[mikhail]

Ok, Looks like I am getting other modules throwing up the same notification from page to page too. I dismiss them and they just keep coming back.

Guess I need to look into other things..,