Family Explorer

When you log into your database it will default to what is called the Family Explorer view. Family Explorer was created so that a user has access to many datapoints related to the family record and they can view this data how they desire. Please read below and/or watch this Family Explorer Walk-Through to learn more :)

IN THIS ARTICLE:

Using Search Bars
Layout
Advanced Filter Tool
New Family
Actions

Using Search Bars

Each column of data contains a search bar and filtering option at the top. These allow you to define the criteria for finding and viewing data.

How to use columns and define search parameters for data

The following parameters can be set for each column of data by clicking on the kebab menu (3 circles) next to the column name.

1: Change column position - Move any column to your desired position by clicking and dragging the column name into another spot along the field.
2: Add/Delete data columns - Open the kebab menu and select "columns" to reveal a list of the data fields available to view and search. There are 60+ fields available to users. By checking and unchecking the boxes it will either add or delete that column of data from your search screen.
3: Lock columns - To lock a single or multiple columns into place on your finder, choose "Set Column Position" from the kebab menu of the column you would like to lock in place, then select Lock Column. All columns will lock to the left side of the grid, and the column titles will be in bold font as shown below.
4: Sort by ascending or descending - To sort data within a specific column, choose Sort Ascending or Sort Descending from the kebab menu and a blue arrow will appear either pointing up or down to indicate you have made this selection.
5: Search for specific data within a column -Type information into the column’s search bar and then click on the filter icon (upside-down triangle). Or, in the kebab menu choose "Filter." Not all columns have a search bar, as they have predetermined values that you can select from a helpful drop-down menu.

For example, when searching registration dates the options will be: Is Equal To, Is Not Equal To, Is After, Is Before or Equal, etc. When searching Family Name the options will be: Contains, Is Equal To, Is Not Equal To.

Pro Tip: When filtering columns to show specific data, selecting the filter to sort column data that " contains" a certain specification entered will result in more entries rather than using "is equal to," which would only offer data that appears the exact same way the specified information was typed in the filter.

Layout

Default Layout - This option will bring you back to the Family Explorer default layout.

Manage Layouts - This allows you to save up to 10 customized layouts. A saved layout will save the fields you have displayed on your screen, the ordering of these fields, and any filters you may have set. To add a saved layout, please do the following:

(1) Customize your screen however you'd like. You can add or remove certain fields, re-order the columns, and set filters.

(2) Then, select Layout > Manage Layouts.

(3) Click Add, type the name of this saved layout, and click Save.

Repeat Steps 1-3 up to 10 times to keep creating saved layouts. You can then toggle back and forth between your different layouts as well as the default layout. A checkmark will be displayed next to the saved layout you are currently using.

You can always delete, rename, or update a saved layout by selecting Layout > Manage Layouts. Within Manage Layouts, you also have the ability to customize the order in which your saved layouts appear. To do this, select the 3 horizontal bars next to your layout name, and drag it to the desired position.

To learn more about how to save layouts or to see it in action, please watch THIS video :)

Advanced Filter Tool

When selecting the Advanced filter from the toolbar, you’ll be able to define specific terms for pinpointing the exact data you desire. Simply select “Advanced” and then use the filtering toolbar’s three options.

And and Or - When filtering data entries you can allow entries to 1) Show if they meet multiple set criteria (the And button), and 2) include all entries that might meet multiple criteria specifications (the Or button). The specifications which you set will allow your data to be segmented into a specific list, according to the And/Or options you selected.

Add Expression - Adding an expression allows you to choose specific criteria that helps to filter your data. Every time you select the Add Expression button, you will be given three fields to set your search criteria:

Column name (e.g., Family Name, Status, etc.)
The rule for how data is to be determined (e.g., contains, is equal to, etc.)
The words or fields within the column that you are searching for (e.g., "Thomas", "Mary", etc.).

Using CONTAINS vs. IS EQUAL TO It is important to remember when determining the rule for how column data is considered, selecting “contains” will offer you more results than selecting “Is equal to.” Selecting "equal to" would only filter results that have the column data exactly as you typed your specification. For example, if you have the rule set to filter for parishes that equal St. Thomas, you will only get results entered exactly as that. Data entries that would be excluded could contain Parish names entered as Saint Thomas, St. Thomas Aquinas, or St. Thomas More.

Add Grouping - Adding a grouping to your filter specifications gives the option to fine-tune the results of a certain specification even further.

For example, if you are searching for families with the Family Name "Smith" OR "Johnson" and you want the "Johnson" families to only be from a "St. Mary" parish. Your filtration setting would be defined as: Select OR to identify two expressions that Family Name contains "Smith" OR "Johnson"; add a group underneath the "Johnson" specification to identify any Church Name that contains "Mary".

Pro Tip: After applying an advance filter, you can check and change it's settings by returning to them when clicking "Advance" in the Family Explorer toolbar.

New Family

To add a new family to your database, simply click New Family. This will open up a blank family record where you can include any information you have.

Pro Tip: If you are working in another module you can also add a family by going to Families > Add New Family.

Actions

The following action items appear in a dropdown: (1) Send Message, (2) Download, (3) Mailing Labels, and (4) Add to My Church.

Note: You'll notice there are boxes next to the family names. The database will do a desired action (e.g. send a message) to all families if you checking the box next to the Family Name heading. If you would like to only do the action for a specific family or families, you can check the boxes next to these families' names.

You will check the box next to the Family Name heading or check whichever boxes you desire, select Actions, then choose whichever item you wish to perform. (Note: You can only add one family to your church at a time.)

Send Message

Send an email to all families defined in your current search screen. In order for a family to receive the email, they must have the Email Notifications box checked and they must have a valid email address listed within the Family Record. Emails sent through Family Explorer will go to families that meet this criteria, and will go to members who have both Email Notifications and Receive Family Alerts checked.

Download

Download an Excel file of all families and columns defined in your current search screen. The Excel file can be edited and converted to a table.

1

Click on Families via the top navigation bar and select Family Explorer.

2

If applicable, add/remove/reorder the fields listed, and sort/filter your data how you desire.

Tip: If you want to search on who has a envelopes use the Budget and/or Has Envelopes fields. To search on how many families are registered within a particular date range, use the Registered field.

3

Select the specific families you want to generate this report for (if applicable), click Actions then choose Download. This Excel file will automatically download into your Downloads folder and be given the name families.

Mailing Labels

Generate Mailing Labels for all families defined on your screen or for the families you've specified.

Important Note: Please be sure to select the Mailing Labels from the Actions dropdown rather than the Reports module. The Mailing Labels button found within the Reports module will not take into account any filters you've set (such as Active families only).

Note: The default used to be "Exclude Families With Email". We have changed this so the default is now to " Include Families With Email". If you do not want to generate mailing labels for families that have an email address listed, you'll want to uncheck this box.

Add to My Church

To add a family to your church, you'll want to do the following:

1: Navigate to Family Explorer then add Church ID and Church Name to your screen.
2: Click on the funnel icon with the line through it to clear the automatic filter that is placed on Church ID. By clearing this filter, you are now searching across the Diocese.
3: Check the box next to the family you want to add to your church, click Actions, then select Add to My Church.
4: You'll then see a pop-up appear where you will select which church you want to add this family to. Toggle the button next to your church's name and click Save. At this point you should see that this family has now been added to your church.