Exporting Collection Data to CSV

[mgarf]

I was thinking it would be nice to have something like this package:

https://github.com/nrswolf/Observatory

Implemented into the backend. I'm pretty new to Meteor but I can start looking into trying to work it in and then submit it for merging if I can figure it out.

[kaoskeya]

Hey,

That would be a nice feature to have.

This is how I think you could go about implementing it:

1. Add a button next to 'Add' on top which says 'Export'.
2. The event handler for the button click takes e, instance as params and you can get a reference to the current collection the user is working on using window[ instance.currentCollection.get() ]. Use this to pass data to Observatory.buildCSV.

I haven't used Observatory before, but what what I skimmed through, the above steps would only make a CSV of what is currently subscribed to by the client, not the entire dataset. We could write the Observatory stuff in a server side method maybe and have the click handler call it? I'll look a little more into Observatory and let you know whats possible.

Do feel free to send in a PR if you build this :)

Thank you.

[mgarf]

Thank you for the guidance. I probably would have spent hours trying to figure out how to call the collection. I think this will be a great way for me to start getting into contributing. I chose this because how simple it should be to implement. I will definitely work on this and send in a PR.

I think from a backend perspective the person using it most likely would only need the data he/she is subscribed too so it actually might make sense for them to only be able to export what is subscribed.

I will try to build it with a server side method that is called and work from there. If I get this to work out then I can start helping you with other features for the admin panel.

[kaoskeya]

Awesome, that sounds great.

Also, as for the question whether the user would need only the current page or whole collection, we could have the export button as a dropdown with options 'Current Page' and 'Whole Collection'. Lets just do the current page for now and later look at adding more functionality.

Awesome, I do have a few nice features in mind, this sounds good :)

[mgarf]

Hey sorry for the delay, work has kept me crazy busy but I should have time after tomorrow to start working on this integration.

[kaoskeya]

Hey, kinda same here, haven't been able to do much on this package. I'll be working on a quick MVP this weekend that will use meteor-admin a little more heavily and will need the filters. That should give me an opportunity to add a few more nice to have features, fixes at least.