Feature Request: Improve Gantt chart UX with better sorting and drag-and-drop functionality #12
Description
Problem Description
The current Gantt chart has limited interaction capabilities. Users cannot easily reorder tasks visually or sort them in meaningful ways for project planning.
Proposed Solution
Enhance Gantt chart with intuitive sorting and drag-and-drop functionality.
1. Enhanced Sorting Options:
Sort by:
- Start Date (when Issue Feature Request: Add "Start Date" field for tasks #10 implemented)
- Due Date
- Priority
- Duration (calculated or manual)
- Custom order (user-defined)
- Alphabetically
- By tag/category
- By progress percentage
2. Drag-and-Drop Functionality:
- Drag tasks on timeline to change dates (Start Date and/or Due Date)
- Drag tasks in list to reorder hierarchy/sequence
- Drag to resize task bars to change duration
- Visual feedback during drag operations
- Smart snapping to days/weeks/months
- Auto-adjust dependent tasks (when Issue Feature Request: Implement task dependencies for sequential workflow management #11 implemented)
3. Additional UX Improvements:
- Collapsible task groups for better organization
- Timeline zoom (days/weeks/months/quarters)
- Critical path highlighting (when Issue Feature Request: Implement task dependencies for sequential workflow management #11 implemented)
- Multi-select operations (drag multiple tasks, bulk date changes)
- Undo/Redo support for timeline modifications
- Quick date entry (click on timeline to set dates)
4. Visual Enhancements:
- Different bar styles for different task types
- Progress visualization within task bars
- Milestone markers (diamond symbols)
- Baseline vs actual comparison
- Weekend/holiday shading
Benefits
- Much more intuitive project planning
- Faster schedule adjustments
- Professional project management interface
- Better project overview and organization
- Reduced need for manual date entry
Implementation Considerations
- Could be implemented gradually (start with basic drag-drop, add features)
- Should maintain Joplin's simplicity while adding power features
- Mobile touch support for drag operations
- Keyboard shortcuts for power users
This feedback was discussed with @Scrayil who suggested creating this issue.
Priority: Medium-High - Greatly improves usability
Complexity: Medium - UI/UX focused, builds on existing chart infrastructure