Baseline functionality allows saving the current state of the tree structure (form positions in tree and the field values) under a given name for futures references, serving as a basis for defining change.

This feature is very useful for saving the requirements/tests description agreed with a customer. Any change from the baseline state can be identify and highlighted using the Baseline feature of the Tree Editor

Activate Baseline feature for tree

By default, Baseline feature is not display for tree structures. It needs to be activated on root form type by a Project Admin (see Modify or Create Form-types ).

Create a Baseline

1.    Click on the Baselines button from Tree Editor toolbar to open the Baselines panel

2.    Fill a relevant name and description

3.    Select the forms to be included in baseline

4.    Check Include children of selected items to include descendants of selected forms.

5.    Click Save.

Baseline is saved and it contains the current form position in tree structure and field values. The current version of form is marked as baselined.

Note: Once a baseline is saved, cannot add forms to it, cannot remove forms from it, and cannot change field values of it. If need to change something to forms from a baseline, you need to make the changes and create a new baseline.

Figure 5‑16 Tree Editor - Create Baseline

Note: Baselines can be created only by Project Admins and are displayed to all users having reading permission on the tree structure.

Baseline Field

A Baseline field is displayed on all form display having the current version saved in a baseline. Baseline field value displays the baseline name (see Figure 5‑17). A form version can be saved in one or more baselines. So, Baseline field can display a list of baseline names.

If the field values of the forms are changed, the form version changes. So, the new form version is not part of the baseline anymore, in this case the Baseline field does not display a baseline name.

Figure 5‑17 Display Form - Baseline field

Note: Baseline field can be used as any other system field: in filters, formats, form history, reports, tree editor.

Baseline List. Display a Baseline. Compare a Baseline.

It is important to know if forms have changed since there were marked as baselined and to identify the ‘change’. Navigate to baseline list by clicking on Baselines button from Tree Editor toolbar. On the Baselines panel, notice the Baselines tab displaying the list of all baselines ever saved for this tree (see Figure 5‑18).

Figure 5‑18 Tree Editor - Baseline List

1.    Display button: loads for display the forms having the field values and position in tree structure from the moment when the baseline was created.

·         If a baseline form position and/or field values changed since the baseline was saved, the changes are not displayed.

·         If a baseline form was changed (changing field values) after the baseline was created, it will be loaded for display having its initial values.

·         If a baseline form was moved (changing position in tree) after the baseline was created, it will be loaded for display in its initial position.

·         If a baseline form was deleted after the baseline was created, it will be loaded for display.

While displaying a baseline:

·         The editor disables the buttons that allow field changes or reorder tree, because baselines cannot be changed.

·         The editor keeps enabled the export buttons, that allows export of the baseline form

·         Baseline forms are displayed with a green background

·         Clicking on Form ID opens a form compare view of the baseline form version against the current from version.

Figure 5‑19 Tree Editor - Display a Baseline

2.    Compare button: loads for display the baseline forms (field values and position in tree structure) to compare against the current tree structure outlining the structure changes. The baseline forms and the forms added after the baseline are merged in the same tree structure.

·         The baseline forms are displayed keeping the field values and position from the moment when the baseline was saved. The forms created after baseline are displayed in the first position available.

·         If a baseline form was changed (changing field values) after the baseline was created, it will be loaded for display having its initial values.

·         If a baseline form was moved (changing position in tree) after the baseline was created, it will be loaded for display in its initial position.

While displaying a baseline compare:

·         The editor disables the toolbar and form action buttons

·         Baseline forms are displayed with a green background. The not-baseline forms are displayed with a white background

·         Clicking on Form ID opens a form compare view of the baseline form version against the current from version.

Figure 5‑20 Tree Editor - Baseline Compare

Tree Editor highlights the structure changes displaying an icon for each form

·          - form was added after the baseline

·          - form values and position did not change since the baseline

·          - form values and (or) position changed since the baseline

·          - form was deleted since the baseline

3.    Delete button: deletes the baseline, it does not affect the forms in any way.

Form Compare View

Form Compare View highlights for a form the changes of field values comparing the baseline form and current form version.

·         The removed values are displayed with a strikeout style

·         The added values are displayed with an orange highlighted style

If the form has inner descendants forms displayed within the form, a compare per field values and position is done for each of them.

Figure 5‑21 Baseline Form Compare View