AX2686

Configuring the Explorer task pane

Axiom Software provides a built-in Explorer task pane to provide users with quick access to their favorites, recent items, and all Axiom files that they have rights to access. By default, all users are given access to this task pane. If desired, you can disable use of this task pane entirely, or restrict access to certain sets of users.

NOTE: Access to the Explorer task pane is managed using the startup file settings in Security. The Administer Axiom Explorer permission does not apply to the task pane—it only controls access to the full dialog accessible from Manage > Axiom Explorer. Any user can access the Explorer task pane.

Default behavior

When a new system is created, a copy of the Explorer task pane is placed in the root of the Task Panes Library (file name: Explorer.AXL). This copy is listed as a startup task pane for the Everyone role, and is configured to prevent closing.

This means that the Explorer task pane is automatically opened when the system is started, for all users. Users cannot close the task pane, so it is always available. Users do not otherwise have access to the task pane (meaning, no access is granted to the file itself on the Files tab of Security).

NOTE: You can rename the Explorer.AXL file and/or move it to a subfolder without breaking the existing startup configuration. You can also edit the shortcut parameters for the startup configuration to use an alternate tab name, or to allow users to close the task pane if desired.

Disabling the Explorer task pane

If you do not want to use the Explorer task pane at all in your system, then you can edit the startup settings for the Everyone role in Security, to remove the Explorer task pane from the list of startup task panes. Once it is removed from the Everyone role, then the task pane will not display for anyone unless you later manually add it to other roles or users.

If you want to delete the file entirely so that any users with access to the Task Panes Library cannot see it, you can do so. However, you cannot delete the file if it is open in your current session. You must first edit the settings for the Everyone role as previously described, and then you must exit the system and log in again. Now that the Explorer task pane is not open in your session, you can delete the file from the Task Panes Library.

If you deleted the Explorer.AXL file and then later decide that you want to use it, a copy of the file is always available in \Axiom\Axiom System\Document Templates\Sample Task Panes. Make a copy of this file and save it to the Task Panes Library, and then configure access in Security as desired.

Modifying access to the Explorer task pane

If you want to use the Explorer task pane, but you do not want all users to have access to it, then you can modify the Security settings as desired.

• First, edit the startup settings for the Everyone role to remove the Explorer task pane from the list of startup task panes.
• Then, add the Explorer task pane to the startup settings for the applicable roles or users. Select the Non-closeable check box if you want users to always have access to this task pane. If you allow the task pane to be closed, remember that users without access to the Task Panes Library will not be able to reopen the task pane within the current session if they close it.

Customizing the Explorer task pane

The Explorer task pane uses a single item, the Axiom Explorer Tree View from the Command Library. This control replicates the Axiom Explorer treeview within a task pane. While it is possible to manually re-create the Explorer look and feel in a task pane by linking to each individual component, using the control provides advantages such as:

• Access to relevant features. When using the Explorer control, users with the appropriate permissions gain access to item-specific commands via the right-click menu. For example, users can right-click a file to open it as read-only, or they can right-click a table to edit the table structure. If instead an item is linked on a task pane directly, then the item-specific right-click commands are not available.
• Automatic updates. The Explorer control renders the Axiom Explorer treeview as it currently exists. If future upgrades introduce new libraries or a changed folder structure, the control will remain in sync.

It is possible to make a few minor customizations to the Explorer task pane. If desired, you can use shortcut parameters to hide any of the major sections: My Files, File Groups, Libraries, and Axiom System Folder. Keep in mind that security permissions are always applied, so users without rights to a particular section or item will not see it in the task pane. You only need to hide a section if you do not want it to display for any users, within the task pane.

For more information, see Axiom Explorer Tree View command.