AstroGrav iconAstroGrav Help /Window Types /Table WindowsVersion 5.2.1

AstroGrav icon    Table Windows

Introduction

Table windows let you view a simulation in the form of a table, with each object's data occupying one row of the table.

You can open a new table window by using the Window / New Table command, or by using the Window / Duplicate command on an existing table window.

Selecting Objects

You can select as few or as many objects as you like in a table window using combinations of the following commands.

You can also select a particular object using the Edit / Find... command.

Sorting Objects

The objects in a table are always sorted on one or other of the columns, with the sort column being indicated by a darker background color. If you want to sort the objects on a different column, Click on the column header, and the objects will then be sorted on the chosen column. If you want to switch from an ascending sort to a descending sort or vice-versa, Click again on the column header, and the objects' sort order will be reversed.

While you can sort on any one of the columns, some are much more useful than others. The columns that are most useful to sort on are as follows.

Showing and Hiding Columns

To show and hide groups of columns, you can use the items in the menu that is displayed when you click on the column selector ('Column Selector' icon) icon in the top-left corner of a table. There are the following eight commands, which are effectively on/off switches in the form of checkbox menu items and buttons.

Reorganizing Columns

If you want to move a column to a new position, position the mouse on the column header, and then drag the mouse horizontally without holding any modifier keys down. The column will then move horizontally in response to your mouse drag.

Changing Column Widths

If you want to change the width of a column, position the mouse on either the left or right border of the column header so that the mouse pointer changes to a 'resize' pointer, and then drag the mouse horizontally without holding any modifier keys down. The column will then resize in response to your mouse drag.

Changing Row Heights

If you want to change the height of the rows, position the mouse on either the top or bottom border of a row leader so that the mouse pointer changes to a 'resize' pointer, and then drag the mouse vertically without holding any modifier keys down. All rows will then resize simultaneously in response to your mouse drag. It is not possible to have rows of different heights in the same table.

Scrolling to a Particular Row

If you have a very long table, it can be difficult to find a particular object of interest, and so there is a 'scroll to row' feature to assist you. To use it, click on the row scroller ('Row Scroller' icon) icon in the top-right corner of a table. This will display a small dialog window that allows you to specify what you are looking for, and AstroGrav will then automatically scroll vertically so that the specified object is visible. For example, suppose that you have a very large table and that you want to locate the asteroid 2003 WM118. You can sort on the names and then use the row scroller to specify something like 2003 WM or 2003 WM118 to quickly locate the asteroid.

Exporting Data

To export a table's data in a form that is easily imported into a text editor, word processor, or spreadsheet application such as Microsoft Excel, you can use the export ('Export' icon) icon in the bottom-left corner of a table. This will display a file chooser dialog that allows you to navigate your computer's file system to choose a location and name for the exported file. When the exported file is viewed in a spreadsheet application, there will be one column for each column of the table and one row for each row of the table, so that the exported data is presented in the same form as in the table. The export ('Export' icon) icon duplicates the functionality of the Window / Export... command.

Help Button

To quickly display this documentation, you can use the help ('Help' icon) icon in the bottom-right corner of a table.



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