Cms: Suggestion: Collapse all / Expand all functionality on matrix fields

[hiasl]

Description

Currently when an entry contains a matrix field each block needs to manually be collapsed or expanded (unless you multiselect them via checkbox). This can become quite time / click consuming, especially if you want to rearrange them. In this case a collapse all (and maybe also expand all) function would be great.

Where to place:

• I would put it next to the label of the matrix field
• If you do not want to "waste" ui space, at least a double click on the label of the matrix field could collapse / expand all blocks.

Additional info

• Craft version: 3

[brandonkelly]

Double-clicking a block titlebar will only collapse/expand the selected block, which is what I would expect to happen. But there is a trick for quickly mass-expanding/collapsing blocks: Click on the first block’s titlebar, and then shift-click on the last block’s titlebar. Then all will be selected. Then click the cog icon and click Expand/Collapse, and that will affect all selected blocks.

[hiasl]

Thanks for the tip, just tried, works like a charm. I still think this would be very handsome, this is 4 clicks (including holding a key) vs. 1 and to be honest, this is a feature normally available wherever you have to deal with multiple checkboxes (even in other craft overviews...).

[brandonkelly]

Fair enough, just reopened and we can consider it down the road :)

[crazyx13th]

maybe an option at the settings like this?

or a "handle all action bar"

or both 👍

thx

[carlcs]

CMD + A also works to select all blocks when one block of the field is in focus.

[KatieMFritz]

I would love an option (in settings) to collapse blocks by default. I'm using a matrix for a custom menu manager, and it's much easier to visualize and rearrange the items when they're all collapsed. I might try the JS hack suggested in this old StackExchange post in the meantime.

I have a first draft of some instructions (using Sprout Notes) to help my authors remember how to expand/collapse all:

Because going into the site every couple months to make changes, they're not going to remember how to do this. A GUI option for expand/collapse all would be helpful.

[meyerweb]

Adding my support to this idea. I’d love it even more if the field contents were editable when the block is collapsed, but just the ability to easily expand/contract all would be a nice feature.

[narration-sd]

Just saw this, and maybe this FR can attract as a way to solve?

It suggests an audio-board-like Solo button, for many good reasons to use in editing. Click Solo again, and previously visible elements would be seen again. Simple.

https://github.com/craftcms/cms/issues/3116

[narration-sd]

...put a little more info in about related #3116

[orangethread]

It sounds like this feature request is going to be considered. Which is awesome. but I want to add my vote here.

The command+a works quite well. Thanks @carlcs

There are still some UX issues that support the idea @crazyx13th is suggesting.

There is not a way to deselect all the blocks.

Even with Command+a, there is a UX issue. To trigger the collaspe or expand, one accesses the dropdown menu in the block's title bar. That title bar is specific to the block, that is how I 'read' the design. So a user could reasonably expect selecting _collapse_ from the block's title would only collapse that specific block, not all of them.

[mediagirl]

We need "Collapse All" and "Expand All" for Matrix fields please.

[matthewstick]

I would love to see this too. This comment had a great suggestion for both options.
https://github.com/craftcms/cms/issues/1880#issuecomment-320190919

What's really tough is that we can have dynamic content blocks in a matrix field. Sometimes one field can have a dozen types. Then each one could have a 1 to 10 items. Think of a matrix holding a gallery, FAQ, general text, specialized text, forms, etc. But it becomes unusable for the end user to scroll through everything.

We really need to start everything as collapsed instead of expanded.