Dragging Columns Does Not Insert

Instead of inserting the dragged column in the new location, ClarisImpact swaps the newly-placed column with the column in the location where it is to be placed.

This information was provided by Claris Corporation on 16 March 1998, and incorporated into Apple Computer's Tech Info Library.

In ClarisImpact tables, you can drag on the column headers to quickly move a column to a new location. However, the column in that new location will be swapped with the column that you are dragging.

For example, if you have five columns in your table and you decide to drag column five to place it after the second column, you might expect to get a column order of 1, 2, 5, 3, 4. In fact, dragging column five to place it after the second column results in an order of 1, 2, 5, 4, 3. Columns 3 & 4 do not move over to allow column 5 to fit; columns 3 and 5 have been swapped. This also happens with a Timeline or a table attached to a Data Chart.

However, using Copy and Paste will allow you to get the results you desire. Following are the exact steps to insert rather than swap:
1. Select the entire row or column that you wish to insert elsewhere.
2. Choose Cut from the Edit menu.
3. Select the Row or Column after the one you wish to insert into (for example, to insert between columns 2 & 3 select column 3).
4. Choose Insert Cells from the Table menu.

5. Choose Paste from the Edit menu.

Quick Steps on How to drag a Column or Row:
1. Select the Table so that the gray border is showing around the edges.
2. Position your Mouse pointer next to the top edge of a Column or left edge of a Row until it turns into a down pointing or right pointing arrow.
3. Drag your pointer to where you want the Column or Row to go. You will get a visual indicator next to the mouse pointer when you are performing this action correctly.

Swapping Columns is also covered on page 6-10 of the ClarisImpact User's Guide.

Published Date: Feb 18, 2012