Manage Hierarchical Lists

A hierarchical list is a complex list with multiple levels of organized information. Most hierarchal lists have the same functions as editable lists, but they also allow you to move, organize, and reorder items into a hierarchy. For example, hierarchical lists are used on the Project - Tasks tab and on the map screens. For more information about the types of lists in the system, see Lists Overview and Manage List Items.

Root, Parent, and Child Nodes

Typically, the top-level item in the hierarchy is automatically created. This is the root node of the list and only a single root node can be defined for each hierarchical list. So most hierarchical lists are made up of a single hierarchy with n-number of levels.

It is possible to have a hierarchical list that is made up of multiple roots, each with its own tree beneath. The best example of this situation is the Bill Task definition within a Project.

As noted, each hierarchy contains multiple levels of information. Each branch contains a parent node and each list item that is nested under the parent item is considered a child node. When a list item does not have any child nodes, it is considered a leaf node.

Expand or Collapse Branches

Hierarchical lists contain multiple levels of items. To make the list easier to view, branches of the list can collapsed by default. Use the following options to change how the branches are displayed:

• Expand: Select a collapsed list item, click the right mouse button, and then select Expand. You can also click on the plus sign to expand a list.
• Collapse: Select an expanded list item, click the right mouse button, and then select Collapse. You can also click on the minus sign to collapse a list.

Organize List Items

To create a hierarchical list, add list items and then use the hierarchical list features, like indent or outdent, to position each list item in the structure. Parent nodes cannot be moved to a child node of itself or above the root node. When an item is moved, any child nodes are also moved.

List items can be organized in the following ways:

• Move an Item: The move options change the position of a item in a list without changing the list level. Select a list item, click the right mouse button, and then select the Move Up or Move Down options to move the item in the list. On some lists, you can also press Ctrl+Up or Ctrl+Down to move a selected row up or down in the hierarchy.
• Change Indention Level: The indentation changes the level of the item in the list. Select a list item, click the right mouse button, and then select the Indent or Outdent options to change the position in the hierarchy. Items cannot be indented if there is not at least one list item above it. The top level item, or the root node, in the hierarchy cannot be outdented and leaf nodes cannot be indented.