# COTGroup ###### tags: `done` `communications data models` ## Description {#description} [Groups](/docs/documentation/client/groups) are the standard form of interacting within the Cotalker environment and are primarily accessed through the Main Menu Bar and Group Panel. There are three types of groups. _Regular groups_ contain channels used for communicating with other users. _Workflow groups_, like regular groups, have communication channels but are associated with workflow tasks and their states. _Link groups_ direct you to anywhere within or outside the Cotalker environment. ## JSON Sample {#json-sample} ```json { "_id": "613a37c6c74111fafb4ac372", "actions": [ { "auth": false, "display": "Go to statistics page", "external": true, "icon": "M17.9,17.39C17.64,16.59 16.89,16 16,16H15V13A1,1 0 0,0 14,12H8V10H10A1,1 0 0,0 11,9V7H13A2,2 0 0,0 15,5V4.59C17.93,5.77 20,8.64 20,12C20,14.08 19.2,15.97 17.9,17.39M11,19.93C7.05,19.44 4,16.08 4,12C4,11.38 4.08,10.78 4.21,10.21L9,15V16A2,2 0 0,0 11,18M12,2A10,10 0 0,0 2,12A10,10 0 0,0 12,22A10,10 0 0,0 22,12A10,10 0 0,0 12,2Z", "url": "https://www.mystatistics.com" } ], "color": "#ffffff", "company": "600ac7d8df5461626aac89c0", "createChannels": { "active": true, "requiredPermission": [], "requiredPermissionsV2": [ "admin-groups-write" ], }, "createdAt": "2021-08-31T15:07:24.955Z", "groupBy": null, "groupSort": "weight", "groupSortDirection": "desc", "help": { "animation": "", "faqUrl": "https://www.companyfaq.com", "isActive": true, "onboarding": true, "text": "Call Saul for help." }, "icon": "M17,12V3A1,1 0 0,0 16,2H3A1,1 0 0,0 2,3V17L6,13H16A1,1 0 0,0 17,12M21,6H19V15H6V17A1,1 0 0,0 7,18H18L22,22V7A1,1 0 0,0 21,6Z", "isActive": true, "innerSort": "createdAt", "innerSortDirection": "desc", "link": { "requiredPermission": [], "requiredPermissionsV2": null }, "modifiedAt": "2021-09-08T17:48:55.709Z", "nameCode": "team_chat_00", "nameDisplay": "Team Chats", "parent": null, "weight": 2 } ``` ## Fields {#fields} | Fields | Description | [Type](/docs/documentation/models/overview_model#data-types) | Notes | | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | | \_id | Group ID number | ObjectId<COTGroup\> | | | actions | List of links that can be opened from the [group panel's action button](/docs/documentation/admin/admin_group#secondary-actions) | object[ ] | | | actions[index].\_id | System generated ID | ObjectId | | | actions[index].display | Text displayed to indicate the link to be opened | string | | | actions[index].auth | Indicates if authentication data is sent | boolean | | | actions[index].external | Indicates if the link opens in another tab or not; if not, the link will be embedded in a window that opens up over the platform | boolean | Not all URLs will open up in the embedded pop-up window | | actions[index].icon | The link's icon in the actions button's menu | string | svg code | | actions[index].url | The link's address | string | URL | | actions[index].weight | Indicates the link's place in the menu | number | Numbers do not have to be in consecutive order; lower numbers go first | | channelsWithoutCategoryLocation | | string | Options are: `top` or `hide` | | color | The color of the group icon in the Main Menu Bar | string | Hex color code | | company | Company ObjectId | ObjectId<COTCompany\> | [Company Data Model](/docs/documentation/models/model_company) | | createChannels | Allows users to create new channels within the group | object | | | createChannels.active | Indicates whether or not users can create new channels within the group | boolean | | | createChannels.requiredPermission | Array of the access role IDs users need to create new channels | ObjectId<COTAccessRole\>[ ] | [Access Roles Data Model](/docs/documentation/models/users/model_accessroles) | | createChannels.requiredPermissionsV2 | Array of permission names users need to create new channels | string[ ] | [List of default persmission names](/docs/documentation/admin/admin_accessrole#default-permissions) | | createdAt | Group creation date| ISODate | YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss.SSSZ | | groupBy | Sorts channels within group by collection elements; useful for sorting task channels by their current state | ObjectId<COTPropertyType\> | [Collection Data Model](/docs/documentation/models/databases/model_propertytypes) | | groupSort | Sorts the collection elements through which channels will be arranged | string | Options: `weight`, `modifiedAt`, `createdAt`, `a-z` | | groupSortDirection | The direction of sorted elements | string | `asc` or `desc` | | help | Sets up help and onboarding | object | | | help.animation | Animated image (JSON) shown in the group's onboarding | string | We recommend using Lottie File | | help.faqUrl | Indicates the FAQ's address | string | URL | | help.isActive | Indicates if help option is activated | boolean | | | help.onboarding | If it is active it will show up after you log in the App or Website | boolean | | | help.text | Text to be displayed in the onboarding | string | Will be displayed below the animation | | hideChannelsByProperties | Array of elements or properties; channels with these elements will be hidden | ObjectId<COTProperty\> | [Elements Data Model](/docs/documentation/models/databases/model_properties) | | icon | Icon that represents the group on the Main Menu Bar | string | SVG code | | innerSort | Sorts channels within the group| string | `modifiedAt`, `createdAt`, `a-z`, `lastMessage` | | innerSortDirection | Indicates whether sorting order is _ascending_ or _descending_. | string | Options are: `asc` or `desc` | | isActive | Indicates if group is active or has been deactivated | boolean | | | link | Settings for [link groups](/docs/documentation/admin/admin_links) that appear on the Main Menu Bar | object | | | link.auth | Sends user's [authentication token](/docs/documentation/api/auth) |boolean | | | link.cmd | | string | | | link.embedded | Embeds link into the platform window | boolean | | | link.external | Opens link in new tab | boolean | | | link.linkType | Indicates the type of link | string | Options are: `URL`, `APK` | | link.requiredPermission | Array of access role IDs users must have to access the link | ObjectId<COTAccessRole\>[ ] | [Access Roles Data Model](/docs/documentation/models/users/model_accessroles) | | link.requiredPermissionsV2 | Array of permission names users need to access the link | string[ ] | [Default persmissions](/docs/documentation/admin/admin_accessrole#default-permissions) | | link.tokenKey | | string | | | link.url | Complete web address link | string | URL | | modifiedAt | Last date and time the group was modified | ISODate | YYYY-MM-DDTHH:mm:ss.SSSZ | | nameCode | The group's unique identification name | string | Maximum 60 characters; only lowecase letters, numbers, and underscore allowed; must be unique. | | nameDisplay | The group name users see on the platform | string | | | parent | Indicates parent group | ObjectId<COTGroup\> | [Group Data Model](/docs/documentation/models/communication/model_groups) | | search | Array of automatically generated search keywords | string [ ] | | | weight | Indicates the group's place in the Main Menu Bar | number | Numbers do not have to be in consecutive order; lower numbers go first | ## Deprecated or not to be used {#deprecated} | Fields | Description | [Type](/docs/documentation/models/overview_model#data-types) | Notes | | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | | __v | Version number | number | Not to be modified | | defaultChannel | | object | DEPRECATED | | defaultOpenBehavior | | string | `channel`, `link` or `task` | DEPRECATED | | filters | Array | object[ ] | DEPRECATED | | apperance | | object | DEPRECATED | | canViewChannelsConfig | | object | DEPRECATED | | channels | Array of channels found in the group | ObjectId<COTChannel\>[ ] | DEPRECATED | | createChannels.allowedContentTypes | Array | string[ ] | DEPRECATED | | createChannels.openChannel | | boolean | DEPRECATED | | groupNumber | | number | DEPRECATED | | groupOwnerIds | Array | [ ] | DEPRECATED | | help.image | | string | DEPRECATED | | image | | object | DEPRECATED | | propertyLevelsConfig | Array | object[ ] | DEPRECATED | | propertyTypes | Array | | DEPRECATED | | settings | | object | DEPRECATED | | skipChannelSelection | | boolean | DEPRECATED | | showByLevel | | boolean | DEPRECATED | | sortActive | | boolean | DEPRECATED | | subdisplay | Subtitle | string | DEPRECATED | | taskManager | | object | DEPRECATED | | task | | object | DEPRECATED | | userFilter | | boolean | DEPRECATED | | viewSettings | | object | DEPRECATED | | visibility | | object | DEPRECATED |