Filter button aside Sort in AppBar

Question

Referring to : http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/hh868273 / "Your app’s hub page" paragraph

1.- Is it permitted to add a "Filter" function to the AppBar, aside the Sort Button. An example would be "High Budget, Medium Budget, Low Budget" that would have effect across all Sort options.

2.- If yes, would the Filter functionality and layout be subject to any restriction

Thank you

Answer 1

Sure!  What kind of restriction are you talking about?

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Jeff Sanders (MSFT)

Answer 2

So far, we saw the following 2 possible drawbacks for this approach.

--- Confusing UX experience between Application Filter/Search and Charm Search ---

1.1.- Functionality 'Filter'

Here are some 'filtering' scenarios by our Marketing Department:

- to the basic "Budget Flyout" above, add an option 'Other...'
- it would cause a panel to display, to let the user choose amongst options like ...
  - different ranges of budget: above $ 1.000, above $ 500, etc.
  - offer monetary conversions (foreign currencies <-> reference currency set by user)
  - choose from offers that are less than a 'month/quarter/year' old
  - etc.

2.- Functionality 'Search'

We have also been requested to add a Search facility on top of the filtering akin to:

- interactively display offers that mention some country names (one or more) that the user enters into a field

3.- Layout

In a 'MainPane split screen (3/4-1/4)' scenario, we would have the above flyout (1/4) remain open aside the given result
in such a manner that the user can adjust the filter and visually experience the feedback (3/4)

4.- I can now explain the first possible restriction that prompted my question:

UX people were quite reserved about the scenario because _application-bound_ 'Filter' and 'Search' capabilities
could be easily confused (by the user) with the _system-wide_ 'Search' present in the Charms/Search.
Hence the hesitation that some form of UX integration might be required between these two capabilities.

--- Confusing UX experience  between Filter Settings and Charm Settings ---

5.- The application would also offer the possibility to memorize interesting Filter patterns, whenever the user formulates them and receives pertinent information results. These patterns could then be recalled - days later - by him using (e.g.) a drop down list.

6.- This prompted a second possible restriction:

UX people told us that this would conflict with a 'Default Settings for Filter' concept and a corresponding implementation in the Charm Settings pane.

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Thank you.

Answer 3

I have similar questions - but why is this thread "answered" ?

Answer 4

Because it was answered and marked that way by the person who started the thread.  If you have further questions, please post a new detailed question in a new thread.

Thanks!

-Jeff

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Jeff Sanders (MSFT)

Answer 5

hm - but why didn't he post the solution? :(

Answer 6

Hi afroDeluXe,

Guidelines and checklist for search (Metro style apps) provides an answer to most questions, admittedly with the following considerations:

1.- the equivalent guidelines have not been published for CSharp/VB

2.- the usage of the Filter button is not mentioned (does not mean it cannot be used as Jeff answered)

3.- the memorization of the Searches (to be done 'taking Settings into consideration' (whatever that means)) is not addressed.

Hope this answer helps somewhat.

Answer 7

RE: 1.  Those guidelines are language agnostic (they don't have anything to do with the implementation language).

RE: 3.  There is nothing preventing you from doing this, just may not be easily discoverable.

Again Afro... If you have some unique question, please post a new question in the forum.  Thanks!

-Jeff

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Jeff Sanders (MSFT)

Answer 8

RE 1. The reservation  is made because for CSharp/VB the subtitle is grayed out. I will interpret this as a small documentation glitch and not being done on purpose.

RE 3. I'd rather wait for somewhat firmer guidelines on this subject, as Metro UX style is still in evolution.

Thanks!