Author: Nicolas CHIGROS, Community Captain—I've been a developer at Board for over a decade, starting my journey with Board 8. During this time, I had the privilege of being mentored and trained by the remarkable and inspiring Andrea Masiero. Today, I’d like to take a moment to highlight some of my favorite features that have been added over the years.
Addition of Web features
Some of you may not be aware, but Board originally started as a desktop-only application. One of the most impactful decisions the Board team made was introducing the HTML Client in version 10.5 and a fully-featured editor in version 10.6. While the desktop version was powerful and responsive, managing multiple installed versions had its challenges, especially for end-users who found server-side or locally stored capsules confusing. The UI introduced at the time is the same most of you are working on from B10 to B12.
Quick Layout
One of the welcome additions with the Web version was the quick layout in version 10.6.—allowing users and administrators alike to change a layout and perform analysis in second. I personally like this feature even as a developer when debugging as it is faster than editing a layout in many use cases.
Temporary Cubes
Alongside a new engine, Board 11 introduced Temporary Cubes. Although not as versatile as in later versions, where they can be used almost anywhere, this feature was a game-changer and the foundation. It significantly reduced the number of cubes in the data model, making it more readable and maintainable. Learn more here.
Impact Analysis
Board is a powerful tool but you create a lot of objects: entity, cube, procedure, screen. It doesn’t make it trivial to keep track or find the link between everything all the time.
That’s why the introduction of Board's Impact Analysis feature with Board 10.7 and 11.3 was a game-changer for project evaluation. By streamlining the analysis of the flow of data integration, it enables developers to save time and make more informed decisions when doing changes or finding a bug. When working in Board, it rarely goes a day where I don’t use either the full impact analysis or at least the tab in cube and entities.
New Engine model
Although the groundwork was laid in Board 11, the new engine utilizing data domains instead of sparsity was, in my opinion, fully realized in Board 12 (2021 Spring Release). This not only made it easier for beginners to understand data calculations in Board but also simplified controlling its behavior using extends on desired entities. Additionally, it accelerated calculations, allowing for higher data volumes. To this day, I have yet to find any downsides to this engine. Kudos to the R&D team!
Unbalanced Hierarchies (UBH)
While the Entity-Relationship modelling in Board is powerful and addresses most use cases, certain situations, such as setting P&L indicators or creating uneven hierarchies for consolidation, were not practical. The introduction of Unbalanced Hierarchies in Board10.8 and Board 12.1 (2021 Spring Release) alleviated developer challenges and provided end-users with better visualization and simpler ad-hoc analysis. Learn more in the How to use Unbalanced Hierarchy How-to Guide.
New UI
Finally, with the transition from desktop to web, Board introduced more clicks and mouse travel, and the addition of many new features made the previous UI feel somewhat cumbersome. However, with Board 14, not only were these issues resolved, but the UI also became more aesthetically pleasing, feature-rich, and significantly more responsive.
There are a lot of improvements in almost every screen and process, but here are a few quality-of-life improvements I particularly like because they bring more clarity or help you gain time when developing.
The selection pop-up shows hierarchy with the ability to collapse them.
The smart guides help you align objects with each other.
The ability to copy an existing cube saves time.
Now with the left click, you can display all the options without having to go through clicking the icon in the top left corner.
Sources:
https://www.boardmanual.com/Board_10.5.htm
https://www.boardmanual.com/Board_10.6_Release_Notes.htm
https://www.boardmanual.com/Board_10.7_Release_Notes.htm
https://www.boardmanual.com/board-10-8-release-notes/#t=board_10-8_whats_new.htm
https://www.boardmanual.com/Board_11_Release_Notes.htm
https://help.board.com/
(For B12 and B14, all release notes are under What’s new)
Bonus Features:
HTML in label
Using HTML in labels is a neat workaround when you're stuck with limited color options for your text. By embedding HTML tags, you can customize colors, styles, and formatting to your heart's content. For instance, wrapping text in a <span> tag with inline CSS lets you pick any color you want, which is great for making important information stand out or matching your brand's style. This trick can really enhance the visual appeal and readability of your labels, making them more engaging and easier to scan.
However, while it's a handy solution, it's best to use it sparingly. Overusing HTML in labels can lead to inconsistencies and make your content harder to maintain. Plus, as it’s not officially documented, it might not always work as expected in the future. If possible, try to stick with the built-in formatting options or look for other ways to achieve the desired effect. But when you're in a pinch, HTML can be a lifesaver for adding that extra touch of customization!
Using Emojis
Emojis and special characters in titles or text can significantly enhance the user experience (UX) by making content more engaging and visually appealing. These elements can convey emotions, highlight important information, and break up monotonous layout, making it easier to scan and digest. For instance, using a ⚠️ emoji can quickly draw attention to warnings or important notes, while a ✅ can indicate completion or success. This visual differentiation helps users quickly understand the context and priority of information, improving overall comprehension and interaction with the content.
Incorporating emojis and special characters is straightforward across different operating systems. On Windows, users can access emojis by pressing the Windows key + . (period) or Windows key + ; (semicolon), which opens the emoji picker. On macOS, users can bring up the emoji keyboard by pressing Control + Command + Space.
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I hope you found this lookback—and current feature highlight—useful! Comments? Leave them below!
