About Index Mode

An index is a data structure that the app uses to quickly search the database. If the system is in the process of updating the index ('indexing') with a large amount of new data, you might notice a slight reduction in app performance. To increase performance while updating your data, you can switch from indexing mode to authoring mode. You can then switch back to indexing mode to continue indexing your data.

With authoring mode active, custom attributes in the child product list might display a yellow warning, to indicate that the data is not available.

To turn on indexing, go to Preferences and select Use Index Mode. With Index mode turned on, you can switch between Index mode and Authoring mode. Otherwise, the system switches between modes as required.

When you open a product, the identity card shows one of the following:



 Index mode is turned on. Click to switch to Authoring mode.


Authoring mode is turned on. Click to switch to Index mode.


Index mode is turned off.

When Index mode is turned off:

  • Either or appears in the identity card.
  • You cannot switch between Index and Authoring modes.
  • The system switches between Authoring mode and Index mode as required to turn on Flattened View or the Advanced Filter. When you choose Advanced Filter in the toolbar, the system asks you whether you want to switch to Index mode.
  • The Advanced Filter, Flattened View, and Manufacturing View toolbar commands are disabled.

When Index mode is turned on:

  • Either or appears in the identity card.
  • You can click the icon to switch between authoring mode and index mode.

When Index mode is turned on:

  • appears in the identity card.
  • The Advanced Filter and Flattened View commands are available.

When Authoring mode is turned on:

  • appears in the identity card while you make update the product or its child product list.
  • The Advanced Filter and Flattened View commands are available. However, if you select either of these commands, you must switch to Index mode.
  • The authoring mode switches to index mode after 3 minutes since your last update and appears. To change the duration, select Preferences in the toolbar and choose an option under Auto switch from Authoring mode to Index mode. For more information, see User Preferences.

Note: Hover over either or to see when your data was last refreshed. If the last refresh duration exceeds the duration that you specify in the Auto switch from Authoring mode to Index mode option, then all your data is fully indexed.