Configuring Timeline Widget to be Moveable within Widget Controller

[Ellie_Linden]

I have a Web Experience that contains a map and charts, making the page space cramp and crucial to keep everything as compact as possible and flexible for different device sizes. A strategy I’ve used in the past is adding the Legend and Map Layers widget to a Widget Controller widget, which allows the user to move and close the widgets (which also helps when viewing the pages on smaller device sizes). However, when I add the Timeline widget to a Widget Controller widget, I’m not seeing this same behavior, where a user is unable to move the Timeline (although they are able to close it). Is there a way for the user to move the Timeline widget, thereby supporting flexibility with different device sizes?

See a screenshot attached that demonstrates how the Timeline widget would currently overlap with the chart widgets on a medium-sized device.

[VenkataKondepati]

Hi @Ellie_Linden,
 
Don't force a widget into a behavior it wasn't designed for. If the Widget Controller won't let you move the Timeline, it's because that widget is "heavy" on the UI. Move it into a Sidebar or a dedicated Section with views. It’ll save you the headache of overlapping widgets and make the experience much smoother for your end-users.

Keep your UI clean; if it overlaps the data, it's not a feature; it's an obstacle.

[EMani]

Hi @Ellie_Linden 

The timeline widget is fixed, even when set to floating, for the user.

You can define where the widget opens up by moving the widget controller.

Put the timeline widget in its own controller and move it to a place that you feel it fits best in your layout.

You can then add a button and create an action to open the widget controller/timeline widget.

Once you have the button and the timeline where you want them, format the widget controller to be invisible using the advanced options for default/selected and hover. Use the custom colour hex #000000 for transparent.

Then send the widget controller to the back.

You user can then use the button to open the timeline to the best place you have chosen for the experience.

[Ellie_Linden]

Thank you @EMani for this workflow! Just to confirm, using this Button widget method the Timeline is still fixed to how we've set it, correct? Do you think it could ever be possible for there to be an advancement where the Timeline could be not fixed? 

[EMani · Accepted solution]

Hi @Ellie_Linden,

Yes, you decide where the timeline widget fits best. The user cannot move it.

Using this method just means you can pop up the timeline wherever you want without having a random widget in the middle of the page. Just be careful that the user cannot inadvertently click the invisible widget. You can make it really small, send it to the back or even use the Style tab in the widget controller configuration to move it off the page completely using a minus position.

You may log an enhancement if you wish for this to be considered in future releases of ArcGIS Experience Builder. First, create an ArcGIS Idea and then create a technical support case in My Esri to initiate the enhancement process.

Please accept my post as a solution if you feel it answers your query 🙂

[Ellie_Linden]

@EMani thank you. I have submitted the idea here: (1) Configure Experience Builder Timeline Widget to be... - Esri Community.