---
title: "Hierarchy mode"
canonical: "https://support.appfire.com/space/BGdc/3525476935/Hierarchy%20mode"
format: markdown
---
The structure of boxes in the Hierarchy mode is visualized in a [column view](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BGdc/pages/3525443900), which shows a hierarchy of boxes and their [attributes](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BGdc/pages/3525214223).

![Overview module, root box, hierarchy mode.](media://429b5a8a-acc3-4fb2-96a0-05ae231a8ea5)

## Actions in the Hierarchy mode

You can carry out the following actions while in the Hierarchy mode in the Overview module:

### Change [box hierarchy](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BGdc/pages/3525214286)

The hierarchy of boxes visualized in the Hierarchy mode reflects the relationships between the parent boxes and child boxes (sub-boxes). Those relationships, represented as nestings, are governed by the [parent type](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BGdc/pages/3525869889/Box+type+attributes#Parent-types) boxes.

You can rearrange the box hierarchy by manually moving (dragging) the boxes from one place to another. This can be especially helpful when you want to quickly organize stand-alone projects into programs and portfolios.

### Manage [box lifecycle](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BGdc/pages/3524886986) (context menu)

Jira/App/Box Admins can change the status of the box and [archive](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BGdc/pages/3525083461) it. This can be done by:

- prompting the context menu under the **More actions** (**…**) button next to the box
- **right-clicking** the box swimlane (anywhere but the box name link)

![context menu with the box status options.](media://0046a13d-13de-4493-867a-f0d09feef719)

### Manage boxes (context menu)

Jira/App/Box Admins can [manage their boxes](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BGdc/pages/3525869806) by using the same context menu to:

- configure a box
- edit a box
- duplicate a box
- archive a box
- delete a box

In addition, they can click the **Add new** (**+**) in the upper menu to [create a new box](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BGdc/pages/3525181653). 

### Open a box in the last module used

Click the box name to open it in the last module used. Alternatively, right-click and open it in a new browser window or tab to keep the screen with the box hierarchy open.

![Box links highlighted.](media://8ed93146-276f-49dc-b43f-eadf473ab7b2)

### Open a box in a specific module

Click the **Open in module**  button and select the module from the list to launch your box in that module. [Module availability](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/pages/createpage.action?spaceKey=bgdcdraft&title=BigPicture%20modules&linkCreation=true&fromPageId=2613570777) depends on the box type or box configuration.

### Mark a box as favorite

Open the [box switcher](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BGdc/pages/3525214511) and click the **star icon** next to the box name to mark it as a favorite. It will help you find the marked box easily later. The list of favorite boxes is local and not shared among other users. 

### Filter the box hierarchy

Use the search and [filter functionalities](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BGdc/pages/3525411277) to narrow down the scope of visible boxes. 

- When the parent boxes do not fit the applied filter or search criteria, they are faded.

![Parent boxes are slightly faded when a filter is applied.](media://1abfe322-b265-46d4-931a-d6f97c06ea24)

- If it is the child boxes that do not fit the filter or search criteria, the children will not be displayed.

![when a parent box is a match, its children are hidden.](media://5687e64d-8b24-42c8-a884-eb2497a6e728)

### Adjust the view

Under the **View** options, you can adjust the layout of the column view by setting it to:

- **Compact**
- **Regular**
- **Wide**

In addition, you can also check the **Show archived boxes** option to see archived boxes in the box hierarchy.

![View settings in the Overview module, hierarchy mode.](media://704679e1-9168-4172-9252-f1c33d5b2ba0)

### Sort the boxes

Click the **Sort by** button to sort the boxes by:

- **Name**
- **ID**
- **Type**
- **Status**
- **Start date**
- **End date**
- **Leader**
- **Manual** (re-order boxes using a drag-and-drop mechanism).

You can switch between sorting and manual modes without losing the manual data order. 

![Sort boxes by option.](media://7aa1119c-6a30-49fe-b781-03d417905aae)

### Export the view (requires BigTemplate)

Click the **Export**  button to [export](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BGdc/pages/3525444363) your current view to:

- pdf (image)
- csv
- xlsx