[IxDA Discuss] IxD for building a list

[Juan Lanus]

Hmmm ... multiple columns per entry ...

The copy and paste ability still applies, if it's the case of a user
that already built the list into a spreadsheet.

There are many more questions, like:
 + a few columns, or many;
 + 10 rows, 100 rows, or more;
 + has to be sorted or not;
 + can use sub-forms or is not advisable;
 + rather techie users or not;
 + the list is created, used and abandoned or persists and gets updated;
 + can data be checked as it's being entered?

Depending on volume and importance of the data one can buils a use
case for "maintain the list" including it all, ala traditional web
form, or making separate use cases for "loading the list" and
"updating the list".

Assuming what I assume, my solution would be a table with the list data in rows.

Update:
Rows are clickable: "click in a row for to change it". This tekes the
user to a form (maybe in the same window or a new one) with the data
separated in fields, preloaded. If any item is "key" then it's
protected. The user can edit and accept, return, or check "delete this
entry" and accept (the accept button caption changed to "delete").

Add new:
Same as above, no protected data items, no delete option.

Of course, in both cases each element is checked and the form can't be
accepted if something is wrong. Using AJAX I'd check entered data
against the server where appropriate.

Some assumptions:
 + web application
 + not many fields, so that an entry can be displayed in a table row
 + some lists will have more than a few rows and the data in important
 + users are normal people