When lab techs or operators enter multiple readings in one sitting, standard DataView layouts can slow them down. Moving across columns with arrow keys or a mouse adds friction to a task that should be fast. Inverted DataView display solves this by rotating the view so dates run across the top and location parameters run down the left side.
Why invert the display?
In a standard DataView, each row represents a date and columns represent different location parameters. To enter data, you arrow or click across the row. With inverted DataView display, each column represents a date and rows represent parameters. You enter a value, hit Enter, and the cursor drops to the next parameter in the same date column. For bench sheets with 10+ parameters per day, this saves hundreds of keystrokes per week.
How to set up inverted display
Open your DataView and right-click anywhere in the grid to access Properties. In the properties dialog, check the box labeled Inverted Display. Click OK. The view rotates immediately: dates appear as column headers across the top, and your location parameters (like TSS, BOD, pH) run down the left side as row labels.
Combine with other DataView settings
Inverted DataView display works best when paired with other layout tweaks. Set your date range to a 7-day period under Properties > Display Range so operators see just one week at a time. Remove row summaries (which become column summaries in inverted mode) if your team doesn’t need them during data entry. Customize column headers to match your bench sheet terminology so techs recognize each parameter instantly.
Adjust column width for readability
After inverting, date columns may be narrower than you need. Click the column header (the date) to highlight the entire column, then drag the column border to widen it. This gives your operators room to see the full value without squinting or scrolling horizontally.
Practical tips for operators
Lab techs love inverted DataView display because it mirrors the flow of a paper bench sheet: read across the top for the date, read down the side for the parameter, enter the value, hit Enter, repeat. No more losing your place by clicking around or arrowing sideways. The cursor stays in the same date column as you move down through parameters, which matches the way most operators think about daily rounds or lab results.
Why this matters
When you remove friction from data entry, operators spend less time wrestling with the interface and more time reviewing results for process control. Inverted DataView display is a small toggle that makes a big difference in daily workflow, especially for teams entering 20+ readings per day across multiple parameters.
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