User Experience Blog - October 2007

• Sneak Peek: Lookups Enhancements

  Emily Liggett Oct 29, 2007

  Lookups are an area of the Salesforce application that are very powerful, but have also been very frustrating for our users -- and one that the User Experience team has wanted to tackle for a long time.

  After observing users struggle to find the right record, speaking to them about how they need lookups to work for their organization, and combing through dozens of excellent IdeaExchange comments and suggestions, we went back to the drawing board.

  Today we present a prototype that demonstrates some proposed enhancements to lookups. The new features include:

  • Auto-Complete - As you type into a lookup field, a list of matching values appears below the field. The list can include an extra column of data to help you differentiate items with the same name.

  

  • Filtering based on dependencies - Both the auto-complete list and the dialog offer results that are pre-filtered based on values of related page fields. For example, if you have entered an account into a lookup field and move to a contact lookup field, that field will automatically offer contacts that are associated to the selected account.
  • Result paging, sorting, and filtering - Just like regular sidebar search results, you can page through the full results list, sort the results by clicking on the column headings, and filter the results list to further refine your list of matches.
  • Customizable columns - The lookups results list provides column customization which allows you to select the columns that you would like to display in the results list.
  • Overlay dialog - We've removed the pop-up window and replaced it with an in-line overlay.

  

  We welcome any feedback you may have. Please leave your comments!

  To try out the new features, go here and follow the guide on the left hand side of the page. Please use Firefox 2.0.0.x to access the prototype. Keep in mind that since this is a prototype, some features are not functional and others may be 'glitchy'.

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• Search Filters

  Emily Liggett Oct 12, 2007

  We recently introduced a new feature, search filters, to the search results page. Search filters allow you to narrow your search results by specifying criteria.

  

  You can use search filters to:

  • Narrow your search results by specifying values for all searchable fields as well as fields that are not currently searchable, such as Parent Account on the Account object.
  • Specify multiple values in a filter field to narrow search results to records that match any of the criteria (OR search).
  • Specify values across filter fields to narrow search results to records that match all of the criteria (AND search).
  • Collapse and expand search filters inline based on your personal preference. When you return to the search results page, the filters remain in the state in which you left them.

  Enabling search filters is easy. An administrator just has to navigate to a search results page and select Customize... >> Filters For All Users from the top of any search results section.

  

  The filter fields that are available are the same as those that are specified in the Search Layouts areas of Setup.

  If you have any feedback about your experience with search filters, please leave a comment!

  Also, if you are interested in the latest search features, keep your eyes open for an upcoming post on our new design for lookups (which will include these nifty filters)! We look forward to hearing your feedback.

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• User Research Sessions with Administrators

  Miriam Melo Oct 9, 2007

  Are you a Salesforce Administrator for your organization?

  Do you create custom reports or list views?

  Do you create custom fields?

  Have you modified page layouts?

  Participate in a User Research session!

  User Research Sessions are a great way for you to get real face time with the User Experience Team. You will get an opportunity to discuss a wide variety of topics relevant to you and related to your use of Salesforce.com.  Let us visit you where you use our technology and help us match it more closely to your needs!

  What: Customer-site user research sessions with Salesforce Administrators from companies of all sizes and with any level of technical experience

  Where: Northern California

  When: October thru mid-November 2007 (before the holiday season)

  Duration: 60-90 minutes per participant

  Compensation: Each participant will receive a $50 gift certificate for their time

  Step 1. Tell Us About Yourself

  • What company do you work for?
  • How long have you been using Salesforce.com?
  • How long have you been administering Salesforce.com?
  • Do you have experience administering any other business applications? (e.g. SAP, Siebel, Peoplesoft, Oracle)
  • Briefly describe any additional responsibilities outside of your use of Salesforce.com.
  • What is your official Title?

  Step 2. Tell Us About Your Company

  • How many Salesforce licenses is your company currently using?
  • For how long has your Salesforce org been deployed?
  • Does your organization use Profiles and Roles?

  Step 3. Reply to Us

  If interested, send your answers to the above questions to tester@salesforce.com along with your contact information and your general availability.  Our team will follow up with you to discuss additional details and to schedule a visit.

  We look forward to hearing from you! Thank you.

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