Overview
Entity Browser (EBR) is a standardized table component for displaying, filtering, and managing collections of entities across Nutanix applications. It provides consistent user experience through uniform styling, behavior, and interaction patterns for listing, selecting, grouping, and performing actions on data sets.
The component supports various features including:
Customizable table views
Advanced filtering
Group-by functionality
Export capabilities
Row selection and batch actions
Client-side data joining
Accessibility compliance
Best Practices
View Configuration
Use appropriate naming conventions: Name your EBR files using the format "<EntityNamePlural>EBR" (e.g., HostsEBR, AlertsEBR) for consistency and discoverability.
Configure columns thoughtfully: Only display the most critical information in default views, with additional data available through custom views.
Ensure column alignment: Text should be properly aligned and truncated when necessary using components like TruncatedSpan.
Filtering
Implement proper filter types: Use appropriate filter controls (dropdown, text input) based on data type.
Provide meaningful filter options: For dropdowns, ensure values are descriptive and properly formatted.
Handle numeric filters correctly: Set appropriate ranges and handle positive/negative values as needed.
Actions
Group related actions logically: Place frequently used actions as primary buttons and group less common actions in dropdown menus.
Disable actions appropriately: Ensure actions are disabled when not applicable to the current selection.
Use consistent action placement: Follow the standard pattern for action button positioning.
Performance
Choose the appropriate UQDC: Select the right query processor (GroupsV3, ODataV4, custom) based on your API requirements.
Consider pagination: Configure appropriate page size to balance usability and performance.
Optimize client-side joins: Use joins judiciously to avoid excessive API calls.
Do's and Don'ts
Do's
✅ Use client-side joins for related entity data when appropriate
✅ Implement proper accessibility attributes for all interactive elements
✅ Refresh the entity list after completing actions that modify entities
✅ Provide clear filter labels and controls
✅ Configure proper sorting for columns that support it
✅ Test custom filtering and grouping thoroughly
✅ Ensure consistent height and styling of table rows
✅ Use descriptive names for custom views
Don'ts
❌ Create tables with misaligned columns or inconsistent spacing
❌ Overload the primary action area with too many buttons
❌ Mix simple buttons and dropdown buttons in layouts that aren't supported
❌ Allow the UI to show stale data after list actions
❌ Use complex filtering mechanisms without proper UX consideration
❌ Neglect to properly handle empty states or loading states
❌ Create filter operators that aren't appropriate for the data type
❌ Implement custom versions of functionality already provided by EBR