Streamline Content Node Creation When Only One Document Type Is Allowed

[mjpraxis]

Description:

Currently, when creating a new Content Node in Umbraco, editors must select a document type from a list in the right-hand panel after clicking the "+" icon in the content tree. This process becomes inefficient when only one document type is permitted under a specific parent node.

Problem:

When only one document type is allowed as a child of a specific Content Node, the current workflow requires unnecessary mouse movement and clicks. Editors must:

1. Click the "+" icon in the content tree.
2. Move the mouse across the screen to the right-hand panel.
3. Click the single available document type.

Alternatively, editors can use the "Actions" menu, which involves even more clicks:

1. Click the "Actions" menu.
2. Select "Create".
3. Select the single available document type.
4. Both methods are cumbersome and add unnecessary friction to the content creation process.

Proposed Solution:

If only one document type is allowed as a child of a specific Content Node, the creation process should be streamlined to a single click. When an editor clicks the "+" icon (or "Create" in the actions menu), a new content node of the allowed document type should be created immediately, bypassing the document type selection step. This would significantly improve the editing experience in scenarios where document type restrictions are in place.

Benefits:

• Improved User Experience: Reduces unnecessary clicks and mouse movement, making content creation faster and more efficient.
• Increased Productivity: Editors can create content more quickly, leading to increased productivity.
• Simplified Workflow: Eliminates a redundant step in the content creation process when only one option is available.

Example:

Imagine a "News Archive" node that only allows "News Item" document types as children. Currently, an editor has to click "+", move the mouse across the screen, and click "News Item." With this feature request implemented, a single click on "+" would instantly create a new "News Item" node, ready for editing.

Considerations:

• This change should only apply when exactly one document type is allowed. If more than one document types are allowed, the current behavior should be maintained.
• This should apply to both the "+" icon in the content tree and the "Create" option in the "Actions" menu.

[Luuk1983]

I like the idea behind this, but I think this should be configurable on the content type so that you can set the permissions to 'single mode' or something and only select one content type you can create. But what would happen if you have content templates, should they be ignored?

I think I would want this to be enabled on your example of a news overview with news pages. But when it's not so obvious I really would like to show the available option - even if it is just one - so that it's clear to the editor what he's about to add. Hence the possibility to configure it :)

[mjpraxis]

I like the configuration part - somekind of setting on document type "enable single mode"

[nul800sebastiaan]

Just as an FYI - when you enable collections (previously know as list view) on the document type, you do get that one-click behavior - could be a good workaround for now!

[Luuk1983]

Depends in the version of Umbraco. In Umbraco 13, pages marked as 'list view' would hide all descendants in the tree. However, Umbraco 15 will show everything in the tree as well.

[nul800sebastiaan]

@mjpraxis click the "Content" app. not ideal, as not.. but might be better than nothing..

18097_2.mp4

[mjpraxis]

I can already see the reaction from the editors :-D
I don't think they would be happy to find the "Content" app to see the actual page.

[nul800sebastiaan]

You used to be able to set Content first (but that would be even more clicks for your editors!) - there's a bug with that though. #18100

[nul800sebastiaan]

One more workaround, to speed up their work right now: Click the + icon, then on the keyboard use [TAB] then [Enter] and then the title field has the focus so they can keep typing.

[nul800sebastiaan]

Apart from the workaround posted above, I think other people at HQ might be of the opinion that a "single-click-start-new-node" might be considered inconsistent and confusing behavior.

I can imagine that this would be a great menu item to add, maybe that's possible to do right now, I don't know.

[mjpraxis]

Oh - I like that solution.
Extend the menu items.

[mjpraxis]

As I recall from discussion with some of the Umbraco HQ developers. I don't think my wish is so easy to implement.
The tree do not know any thing about available document types.

Maybe if was possible to extend the side panel "Create" with the document types.
After render:
And the make a check of the count-of-items of document types.
If (count == 1) { click(item); }

Or right after list of items is ready. Redirect to create node.

[Luuk1983]

I think you are right that it's not that simple. I've had a lot of discussion on the removal of certain notifications that would allow this to work, but so far, there is no alternative given (although that doesn't mean it's impossible): #16329.

[mjpraxis]

Oh, the never ending discussion :-)
Looking forward to see what the result will be on #16329