FAQs
- I've logged in, now what?
- Can I import data from a file?
- How do I save CSV files in Excel?
- Why are buttons grayed out?
- How do I save data?
- How do I filter data in a blist?
- How do I make a custom pick list?
- What’s a blist in a blist?
- How do I enter multiple lines of data into a single cell?
- Can I use somebody else’s blist as a starting point for my own?
- Can I allow coworkers and friends to view or edit my blist?
I've logged in, now what?
For a video tutorial on creating your first blist, watch starting your first blist.
To start, click on ‘New blist’, then select ‘Create a blank blist’, and finish by naming your new blist and clicking OK. Now you can choose different types of columns by dragging them from the far right onto the center of the screen. After you’ve chosen a few (Text and Stars are popular choices) you can begin entering data.
We also have a topic guide in PDF format that you can print or read online. It walks you through the basic concepts as well as creating your first blist. Download it by clicking this link.
Can I import data from a file?
If you want to import data into blist from a CSV file, just click ‘New blist’ in the top left and then select ‘Start from a file’.
How do I save CSV files in Excel?
For a video tutorial on saving to CSV, check out the video tutorial on exporting to CSV in Excel.
From inside Excel choose ‘Save As...’, and where it says ‘Save as type:’ choose the option ‘CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv)’.
Why are buttons grayed out?
You’ll probably see a few buttons and features that are grayed out, or otherwise non-functional. This means that it won’t be long before that feature is up and running.
How do I save data?
Data that you enter in blist is automatically saved. When you create a blist, it is automatically saved. Don’t worry about looking for a ‘Save’ button’, you don’t need one.
How do I filter data in a blist?
For a demonstration of the Lens Builder, watch our video tutorial on filtering data using the lens builder.
To filter a blist, click on the hammer icon next to the search box. The ‘Lens manager’ will pop up and from there you will be able to create the exact filter you want, and even save that filter for future reference if you like.
How do I make a custom pick list?
To see how it’s done, have a look at our video tutorial on creating a custom pick list.
You can create a custom, multiple-choice option column in a blist with ‘My Custom Types’ . When you have a blist open and the ‘Add Columns’ menu on the right side rolled down, click on the hammer next to ‘My Custom Types’ - a dialog box will pop up that will allow you to create your own pick list. You can choose to use an icon for each choice if you want. All the pick lists that you create will be saved in the ‘Add Columns’ menu so you can use them again and again.
What’s a blist in a blist?
To see one in action, check out our video tutorial on creating a blist in a blist.
A blist in a blist is a set of multiple columns that allows every row to have it’s own ‘sub-blist’. For example a pet store owner might create a blist of frequent customers, and then use a blist in a blist to record the names and ages of that customer’s pets.
To create a blist in a blist, open Add Columns and drag the column type called ‘blist-in-a-blist’ anywhere in your currently open blist. You can then choose other column types that you want to drop inside your blist in a blist. For example, a text field and number field would be ideal for tracking pet’s names and ages.
How do I enter multiple lines of data into a single cell?
For a good example try watching our video tutorial on using a list in a cell.
Select a column, click on the ‘Column Properties" button in the menu that pops up, and then check the box to the left of the words ‘I want a list of this type in every cell’. Not only can you do this with text, stars, phone numbers, email addresses, pick lists, and many other column types.
Can I use somebody else’s blist as a starting point for my own?
For a demonstration, check out our video tutorial on creating a new blist from discovery.
You can see how other people are using blist to solve problems similar to your own by clicking on New blist, and then selecting ‘Start from an existing blist’. You’ll be able to search for blists that other members of the community have created, and if you like how they’ve organized their’s you can import the column structure by clicking on ‘Next’, naming your new blist, and then clicking ‘Finish’.
Can I allow coworkers and friends to view or edit my blist?
Yes! After opening a blist click the icon in the upper right corner marked ‘Share’. You can then choose what privleges to give the general public as well as for specific individuals by adding their email addresses. To view your blist they’ll need to create their own blist account and then follow the activation link in their email.
1. Checking Read allows them to see data in your blist.
2. Checking Add allows them to add data to blank rows.
3. Checking Modify allows them to modify content in any cell.
4. Checking Delete allows them to delete entire rows, but not the actual blist or any columns inside the blist.
If you only want users to share certain columns, you can always create a lens that hides the columns you want kept private, and then share only the lens.