New extension: 'Accounts Categories Mega Search Window'
Enhances the internal MD menu Tools>Accounts and Tools>Categories popup windows. It combines both accounts and categories in one list and provides a quick search capability. The new window only activates if you call it from the Extensions menu and once you close it, it's gone (unless you request it again).
Download here:
https://github.com/yogi1967/MoneydancePythonScripts/raw/master/acco...
Do have a play and let me know any feedback?
Mr Toolbox
My Site: https://yogi1967.github.io/MoneydancePythonScripts/
accounts_categories_mega_search_window
Keyboard shortcuts
Generic
| ? | Show this help |
|---|---|
| ESC | Blurs the current field |
Comment Form
| r | Focus the comment reply box |
|---|---|
| ^ + ↩ | Submit the comment |
You can use Command ⌘ instead of Control ^ on Mac
1 Posted by RJron on 25 May, 2022 07:48 AM
Hello Stu,
Ref the Mega Search Window.
We had some discussion on this in another thread - which I list below for reference only - but continuing here as this subject is more focussed:
https://infinitekind.tenderapp.com/discussions/suggestions/14144-make-reminders-floating-window
81 Posted by roneydxb on Apr 25, 2022 @ 04:26 PM
In there, I mentioned that the search does not list some items due to the fact that the parent group is collapsed.
Thus, please consider to add a mechanism to expand ALL items in one go - so that the search feature will continue to work.
In addition, it would be great if you can also - throw focus into the search field immediately upon opening
2 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 26 May, 2022 09:51 AM
@roneydxb - I have made the two changes you requested. A preview build is available for you to try/test on my site (I'm no longer writing the download link in posts).... Let me know how it goes.
If you confirm it's OK, then I will request signing....
3 Posted by RJron on 26 May, 2022 10:01 AM
Thank you. I sure will install and provide feedback asap
4 Posted by RJron on 26 May, 2022 07:38 PM
Hello Stu,
Installed. Excellent ! Working very well. Thank you.
Although - not very necessary, please allow me to suggest one more minor change:
-- Double clicking a category takes it to EDIT mode - which is also available using a right click. Also available with right click is the OPEN IN NEW WINDOW. It would be ideal if the double-click would do the latter ( OPEN IN NEW WINDOW ).
Thats it.
PS. Surprised that no one else has made mention of this very useful feature tool.
5 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 26 May, 2022 08:37 PM
The choice of edit vs open is debatable. I personally like edit. I will leave it as is for now (unless I get more requests for that).
6 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 28 May, 2022 05:34 AM
FYI - A signed version of this latest build (1004) has been uploaded to my site.
7 Posted by RJron on 29 May, 2022 04:34 PM
Downloaded from your site :
https://yogi1967.github.io/MoneydancePythonScripts/
under heading: SIGNED VERSIONS HOSTED ON THIS SITE
I'm afraid the download/file does not work. See screenshot of error below.
Please could you update.
[image: image.png]
8 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 29 May, 2022 04:52 PM
You have to make sure the file name is:
accounts_categories_mega_search_window.mxt and not have any extra numbers on the end before installing.
9 Posted by RJron on 29 May, 2022 05:11 PM
Thanks and good to know. Problem solved. Installed and working.
10 Posted by RJron on 12 Jun, 2022 03:57 PM
Hello Stu,
Been using the latest ACCOUNTS AND CATEGORIES MEGA SEARCH extensively - the last EXPAND ALL button works really well.
I would also like to request considering adding COLLAPSE ALL button as well - so all group headers ( including sub-group-headers ) get collapsed. Whilst this may not help with searches - it does help with manually managing different categories and sub-categories when you have a large list.
Additionally, it would also help if the line spacing between each category ( density ) can be reduced - so that they are more compact / closer-together and thus more items listed on the screen. Not sure if this is possible though - as it looks like it mirrors the moneydance theme.
11 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 12 Jun, 2022 04:40 PM
FYI. The window IS the MD coa / category window. It does NOT mirror the md theme, it is the same internal window (albeit with some added bells/whistles). As such, I’m not going to touch line spacing.
Regards Stuart B
12 Posted by RJron on 12 Jun, 2022 05:48 PM
Yes. I thought it might be so. Just wanted to be sure. The COLLAPSE ALL button would still be useful to have ( instead of manually collapsing them all one by one )
13 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 12 Jun, 2022 05:58 PM
Collapse all done. Latest preview on my site:
... clue.... look for '-' on the bottom right......
I've also added in Security Accounts under Investment accounts... (were missing)....
14 Posted by RJron on 12 Jun, 2022 06:22 PM
Working - but it looks like only the master categories are collapsed. Is there a way for all sub-categories to also be collapsed ? Meaning, when I manually expand one such master category - its sub-categories remain collapsed ?
PS. Have not played around much with Investment accounts and securities ( as yet ).. so cannot comment much about it...
15 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 13 Jun, 2022 06:43 AM
OK... So I think that you are saying that my new collapse all button is working 100%? yes? Pls confirm?
What you are asking for is something completely new? I.e. if you manually expand a category, then standard MD expands that selected categorie's tree.. You want it so that if you manually expand a category, that the sub categories remain collapsed? Have I written this right? Sorry, but no... This is standard MD and I'm not touching that.
16 Posted by RJron on 13 Jun, 2022 07:14 AM
Yes - the collapse all button is working 100%
What I 'thought' was happening is that - when clicking the collapse (-) button - only the main headers were collapsing - and the sub-headers were not ( which sounds strange ). Perhaps both main-headers and sub-headers are indeed being collapsed but is not visible to the user ( and so I have no idea about this ).
But now, interestingly, ( i think ) you are saying - ( when manually expaning any main header ) it is actually MONEYDANCE who is expanding ALL main-headers and sub-headers . If this is true, then I guess there is nothing that can be done. But ideally, moneydance should not be assuming that the user always prefers to expand all sub-groups - that should be an add-on option.
I might add - I assume moneydance wishes that users buy and use this as their primary software ( either for personal or business or whatever ) - and so it should be expected that users ( over time ) will expand their use and have a long list of categories and accounts - and require a UI and options that can help make it more manageable. My comments are not a put-down in any way - I very much prefer moneydance ( have been using it over 10-15 years and have tried to expand that into every possible personal accounting for myself and family I can make use of ) and am only attempting to help improve this somehow. I have previously used it extensively to support my work as well.
17 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 13 Jun, 2022 07:35 AM
Sean (the developer) has indicated that he plans to upgrade the core accounts/categories windows in future.
18 Posted by RJron on 18 Jul, 2022 03:18 PM
Hello Stu - see our discussion on May 27, 2022 - where I suggested a double click would open the account instead of edit ( which you prefer not to )
1/
As an alternative, please consider a MENU option such that a user could opt to double-click to open instead of edit.
2/
Also, only option now is to open in a NEW window. Would be good for default to open in existing window and right click to open in new window. Can be a menu option even.
3/
Any chance to assign a shortcut to the extensions ? On windows, I can still use ALT+X and then manually select. But would be nice to have an ALT+X+M or similar for the Mega search ( M for mega ) etc.
PS. please let me know once you have signed version for the 'mega search' and also 'list future reminders' - so I can update them. They are still showing up as a red alert
19 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 18 Jul, 2022 04:06 PM
I’ll ponder 1&2. 3 is a no. There is no support for doing this currently. But it is a good option for Sean to consider. There is probably some internal ‘hacking’ that could do this, but I’m not going there; sorry.
As for signing, it makes no sense to get them signed whilst you are still requesting changes. The signing turnaround is not always quick and best to keep the number of requests for when there is a good/final build that won’t change for a while. In the mean time, I assume you trust my code (as you are using my extensions already), you you can click the ignore button on the red banner for now. Up to you. You are right to want signed versions as a principle.
Stuart B
20 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 19 Jul, 2022 04:32 AM
So, I've pondered 1&2 and it's a no, sorry... I would be rewriting too much of the internal MD code and it's getting too 'hacky'. It's gone way beyond the original concept of just reusing the internal COA window, to show both accounts and categories with a search.. To do any more, I would basically need to rewrite the code / write my own window from scratch.. At this time, I do not plan to do this, especially as Sean indicated he was working on a new COA window anyway... Sorry.
21 Posted by RJron on 19 Jul, 2022 05:04 AM
ho hum - ok. was worth asking though.
Will be interesting to hear what Sean has to say about a timeline on the new window. Hope it will have all sort of options to filter view and accounts etc. A preview of things to come would have helped - for input/comments from customers as well
System closed this discussion on 18 Oct, 2022 05:10 AM.
RJron re-opened this discussion on 06 Nov, 2022 04:12 PM
22 Posted by RJron on 06 Nov, 2022 04:12 PM
Stu,
I still feel this is a good option to add to the dashboard - similar to your CUSTOM BALANCES. This could also be collapsible and will surely benefit large scale users of moneydance
23 Posted by RJron on 06 Nov, 2022 04:13 PM
.. or even consider a miniature version of this for the dashboard - that will just help search and open the account...
24 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 06 Nov, 2022 05:12 PM
Sorry. This is a won’t do.
25 Posted by RJron on 06 Nov, 2022 06:46 PM
ok
26 Posted by RJron on 30 Jan, 2023 05:49 AM
@StuartBeesley
This is a slightly older topic - but I would like to again request that you consider the following:
EXISTING WORKING:
-- After searching and finding an account - double clicking will EDIT the account.
-- Right click permits opening in a NEW window. This often results in multiple windows being open.
SUGGESTED CHANGES ARE:
-- Double click to OPEN the account in the EXISTING window.
-- Right click to permit EDIT the account
-- Right click to also allow opening account in a NEW page ( if the user needs a seperate window ).
SEPERATELY:
If the search field and related buttons could be moved to the top of the screen ( to be aligned with others such as the future reminders extension ) - that would be better. But this particular one is not a critical change needed at this moment.
27 Posted by RJron on 03 Mar, 2023 09:51 AM
@StuartBeesley,
Just noticed something about the Accounts & Categories MegaSearch:
Searching finds the account
If account is highlighted and you press BACKSPACE - then it jumps to the option to delete the account. Thankfully, it has a basic secondary check to type 'YES' before deleting.
However, I feel it is best to remove this feature ( remove the option for BACKSPACE to delete the account.For a speed typist, this can be a bit too close to comfort.
I also feel a simple 'yes' being typed in is notthat great - a captcha ( or match a random number of sort ) is a better option/protection.
28 Posted by Stuart Beesley ... on 03 Mar, 2023 10:43 AM
What happens if you do this in the standard tools/accounts window?
29 Posted by RJron on 03 Mar, 2023 10:48 AM
hmm... good catch. Looks like that is design from within Moneydance. I guess no one else thought this odd.
However, in defence to moneydance, I suppose the accounts options is only used for adding/editing the account etc. The mega search menu on the other hand - i use too often and to quickly search/find and jump across accounts and categories - so possibilities of a mistake happening using this menu is a little higher..