Adding and Using Multiple Grids in a View

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Article Goal

Guide users on adding multiple Data Grids to a single View in VDM, including usage examples and the customization benefits for each grid.

What Are Additional Grids?

Each grid in a VDM view provides a unique way of displaying the same dataset. By adding multiple grids, you can configure different:

• Sorting orders

• Groupings

• Column formatting

• Expressions or filters

This allows for side-by-side comparisons and reusable configurations—all within the same view.

Why Use Multiple Grids?

Using multiple grids helps:

• Create different perspectives of the same data

• Reduce the need to clone or recreate views

• Simplify reporting with flexible layouts

• Apply specialized formatting for distinct use cases

You can think of each grid as a unique "tab" or layout that leverages the same base data.

Video Tutorial

Steps to Add Grids in a View

Step 1: Open or Create a View

Open VDM and either create a new view or load an existing one, then run the view to populate the grid.

Step 2: Add a New Grid

Click the "Add" button located in the Grid section of the ribbon bar. Repeat this process for each additional grid you wish to create.

Step 3: Name the New Grid

Enter a unique name for the new grid (e.g., Demo Grid 1, SummaryByEmployee, etc.). This helps identify the purpose of each grid at a glance.

Step 4: Switch Between Grids

Use the dropdown list in the grid controls to switch between available grids in your view.

Tip: Each grid can have independent settings for grouping, sorting, formatting, and expressions—without affecting the others.

Example Usage of Multiple Grids

Example Grid 1

• Sorted by: EmployeeID

• Formatting:

  • Freight > 30 = Highlighted Green

  • Expression field (days between ShippedDate and OrderDate) > 5 = Highlighted Red

Purpose: Identify orders with high freight costs.

Example Grid 2

• Sorted by: Ship Name

• No formatting applied—designed for alphabetical lookup or clean export.

Purpose: Simplified contact-based view for customer outreach or record review.

Article Summary

Adding multiple grids to a single view in VDM allows users to create flexible, independently formatted layouts using the same data. Each grid can have its own sorting, grouping, and formatting logic—ideal for comparing scenarios, highlighting issues, or supporting different audiences. This feature transforms a single view into a multi-functional tool for data exploration and presentation.