Ah… we all got used to it: opening a view, clicking Advanced, and suddenly diving into a whole world of relationships, contextual filters, and other “special” settings.
For some, it was a ritual — like opening an old book to a favorite page. For others — a minor annoyance, an extra click every time.
With Drupal 11, that little movement is now a thing of the past.
What Changed
The third column in the Views edit form is no longer labeled “Advanced.”
It can’t be collapsed or expanded — it’s always fully visible.
The
advanced_columnsetting inviews.settings.ymlhas been retired.
All the settings that used to hide under the “curtain” are now always in plain sight.
Why This Happened
This change wasn’t made on a whim — it aims to:
Reduce the number of clicks.
Make key settings immediately visible.
Remove the impression that these options are only “for advanced users” — almost everyone uses them.
Acknowledge that on desktops, collapsing saved almost no space anyway.
Drupal continues to grow, and with it, the understanding that simplicity is a strength.
How It Affects You
Site builders and editors: life just got a little easier. Everything you need is visible right away.
Distribution developers: remove the
advanced_columnkey fromviews.settings.ymlto avoid carrying obsolete configuration.Frontend developers or customizers: if you had code targeting the old collapsible section, you may need to tweak styles or JS.
A Bit of Nostalgia
Sure, many will feel a twinge of nostalgia — that familiar click! when Advanced folded away. For some, it was a way to “tidy up” the interface. But in practice, most of us spent more time unfolding it again.
Now, Drupal tells us: “Don’t hide the important stuff. Let it be seen.”
The Takeaway
A small but symbolic change reminds us: Drupal is moving toward convenience, removing old habits that slow us down.
And yes, we might miss that imaginary click! when collapsing Advanced. But in return, we get fewer clicks, more transparency, and a little more freedom.
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