Re: tree view column sizing problem

[Allin Cottrell <cottrell wfu edu>]

On Tue, 28 Aug 2007, Dave Howorth wrote:

> Allin Cottrell wrote:
> > I have a tree view with 3 columns, which sits within a scrolled 
> > window.  
> >
> > The middle column contains what can be quite a lengthy string. 
> > When the user opens the window in question, I'd like her to be 
> > visually aware that the third column is there: the problem is that 
> > with the columns autosized, the length of the middle string can 
> > push the third column out of the visible zone (you have to scroll 
> > horizontally to reach it).
>
> I presume you can't just swap the second and third columns?

Thet crossed my mind, but it's not ideal.  The third column 
contains what's in a sense secondary information.

> > The ideal solution, I think, would be (a) set the starting width 
> > of the middle column to some reasonable maximum (when the window 
> > is first opened), but then (b) allow the user to expand it to read 
> > the full string if need be.
>
> If the user can be satisfied with seeing one complete string at a time,
> another option is to add a full-width label widget at the bottom of the
> window showing the content of the second column of the currently
> selected row. That avoids the need for the user to resize anything.
>
> Or add tooltips to the column.

Thanks, tooltips might be a good way to go -- though it looks as 
if adding tips to a treeview cell is not trivial!

Allin Cottrell