Seq 2024.1 introduced a change to the default display of nested event properties. Previous versions of Seq rendered collapsed nested structures that could be expanded to access a context menu on the nested properties. The newer scheme flattens nested properties into dotted names and makes the regular property context menu available for all nested properties.
Before
![Nested event properties with an open context menu](https://blog.datalust.co/content/images/2024/02/image-18.png)
After
![Flattened event properties with an open context menu](https://blog.datalust.co/content/images/2024/02/image-19.png)
Flattening nested properties has the advantage of making the event property actions menu easily available for all properties. It also works well with the OpenTelemetry data model, which includes a lot of nested data.
If you prefer the previous style of nested event properties you can choose this option by unchecking 'Flatten the event properties view' in your user preferences:
![The user preferences page](https://blog.datalust.co/content/images/2024/02/image-20.png)
The choice between nested and flattened event properties depends upon the shape of your data, how you use Seq, and your personal preferences; with the new setting, you can choose the style that you prefer.