Fix: Dashboard 'Save As' Navigation In Superset

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Issue #14: Enhancing Dashboard Navigation After 'Save As'

Hey there, data enthusiasts! Let's dive into an interesting issue that many of you might have bumped into while using Superset. This is all about making the 'Save As' feature smoother and more intuitive. Currently, when you use 'Save As' to create a new dashboard, you stay put on the old one. This can be a bit confusing, right? So, we're fixing that!

The Heart of the Matter: Why This Matters

Understanding the Core Problem

The main issue is that after saving a dashboard as a new one, the current system keeps you stuck on the original dashboard. This can lead to a bit of a head-scratcher. Did the 'Save As' actually work? Where's my new dashboard? We want to make sure the process is clear and straightforward. This change aims to eliminate that confusion, making your workflow faster and more efficient.

The Importance of User Experience

User experience is king, and this improvement directly addresses that. By automatically navigating to the new dashboard after a 'Save As' operation, we're making the process much more user-friendly. No more manual searching or wondering if the save was successful. You'll instantly see your new dashboard and be ready to make changes or share it.

Benefits in a Nutshell

  • Clarity: Instantly know the save was successful.
  • Efficiency: Save time by automatically being directed to the new dashboard.
  • Intuitive: A more natural and user-friendly experience.

This enhancement isn't just about fixing a minor inconvenience; it's about optimizing your workflow and making Superset a more enjoyable tool to use. Let's make data visualization as smooth as possible!

Current Situation: What Happens Now?

The 'Save As' Conundrum

As it stands, when you use the 'Save As' feature, the app successfully saves your dashboard under a new name, and a friendly toast message pops up to let you know. However, you're still looking at the original dashboard. The URL doesn't change, and you're left wondering, 'Where did my new dashboard go?'

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Here's what happens when you perform the 'Save As' operation:

  1. Dashboard List: You start on the Dashboards list page.
  2. Open and Adapt: You open a dashboard you want to modify.
  3. Menu Time: You click the three-dot menu.
  4. Save As: You select 'Save as'.
  5. Rename: You enter a new name for the new dashboard.
  6. Save It: You hit the 'Save' button.
  7. Success...But: A success message appears, but you're still viewing the original dashboard. The URL remains unchanged.

Why This Can Be Confusing

This behavior can be confusing because it doesn't align with what users typically expect. The expectation is that after creating a new item (in this case, a dashboard), the app should automatically take you there. This misalignment can lead to wasted time and a frustrating user experience, especially when dealing with multiple dashboards.

The Goal: What We Want to Achieve

The Ideal Flow

After a successful 'Save As' operation, we want the system to seamlessly take you to your newly created dashboard. The URL should update, reflecting the ID of the new dashboard, and the content displayed should be the new dashboard itself. This will provide immediate confirmation that the save was successful and that the new dashboard is ready to use.

The Expected Outcome

Here's what we expect to happen:

  • Automatic Navigation: After clicking 'Save', the browser will automatically navigate to the new dashboard.
  • URL Update: The URL will update to the format /superset/dashboard/{new_dashboard_id}/, where {new_dashboard_id} is the ID of the new dashboard.
  • Dashboard Display: The newly created dashboard will load and be displayed to the user.
  • No Disruption: Existing 'Save' and 'Save as overwrite' functions will operate as usual without unexpected navigation.

Acceptance Criteria: The Checklist

To ensure this change is effective, we have these key acceptance criteria:

  • After clicking 'Save', the browser navigates to the new dashboard's URL.
  • The URL correctly updates to the new dashboard ID format.
  • The new dashboard is loaded and displayed.
  • All existing and new tests pass, confirming the functionality and preventing regressions.
  • 'Save' and 'Save as overwrite' operations continue working as before without unwanted navigation.

We want to ensure a smooth transition and a better user experience for everyone involved. It's all about making your work with Superset more enjoyable and efficient!

Putting It to the Test: How to Verify

Step-by-Step Testing Guide

Here’s how you can make sure the fix works as expected:

  1. Navigate and Open: Go to the Dashboards page and open an existing dashboard.
  2. Trigger 'Save As': Click the three-dot menu and select 'Save as'.
  3. Name and Save: Enter a new name for the dashboard and click 'Save'.
  4. URL Check: Verify that the URL changes to reflect the new dashboard ID (e.g., /superset/dashboard/123/ changes to /superset/dashboard/456/).
  5. Dashboard Display: Confirm that the new dashboard is loaded and displayed. Ensure the content matches the saved version.
  6. Run Tests: Run the dashboard actions test suite using npm test -- dashboardState.test.js. This ensures all functionalities related to dashboards still work as intended.
  7. Test Suite Pass: Verify that all tests pass, including any new tests added to cover the navigation behavior.
  8. Regular Save Test: Make sure that regular 'Save' operations (overwrite) still work correctly without any unexpected navigation changes.

Tools for Testing

  • Browser: Any modern web browser.
  • Superset Instance: A working Superset instance with your test dashboards.
  • Development Environment: If you're contributing, you'll need the development environment set up.
  • Test Suite: Access to the Superset test suite to ensure no regressions.

By following these steps, you can confidently verify that the fix works seamlessly and that the 'Save As' feature behaves as expected. It ensures the process is streamlined and user-friendly.

Ensuring Quality

We'll use thorough testing to ensure this enhancement not only works as intended but also integrates seamlessly into the existing system. The primary goal is to improve the user experience and ensure the reliability of the application.

Wrapping Up

Summary of Improvements

This update is all about making the 'Save As' feature in Superset much more intuitive and user-friendly. By automatically navigating the user to the newly created dashboard after a 'Save As' operation, we eliminate confusion and boost efficiency. This change ensures a better user experience for everyone.

Call to Action

If you're a Superset user, keep an eye out for these improvements in upcoming releases! If you're a contributor, dive into the code and help us make Superset even better. Your contributions are highly valued.

Feedback Welcome

Got thoughts? We'd love to hear them! Share your feedback, suggestions, and any issues you encounter. Your input helps us make Superset the best it can be. Let’s keep improving together! This is the perfect example of how user feedback helps us to improve Superset!