Details on Data Function – Select Input

This dialog allows you to define how the input parameters of the selected data function should be handled when adding data tables. It is necessary to specify a mapping of all required parameters to Spotfire in order to use the data function.

To reach the Data Function - Select Input dialog:

On the authoring bar, click Files and data .
In the Files and data flyout, locate the data function of interest by searching for a suitable keyword or by browsing the Spotfire library.

Comment: If you have not added any data to the analysis earlier, you will only be able to select data functions with values as input.

Option	Description
Refresh function automatically	Select this check box to update the results from the data function automatically each time the input settings are changed. If the check box is cleared, a manual refresh is needed in order for any updates to take effect. A data function set to load automatically will switch to manual update if cyclic dependencies are detected in the analysis.
Input parameters	Lists all input parameters that have been defined for the selected data function. Select an input parameter in this list to edit its settings.
Input handler	Lists all possible input handlers for the selected input parameter. Depending on which input handler you select in this list, a different set of settings is available to the lower right in the dialog.
[Input handler settings]	See the table below.
OK	Adds the selected data function to the Add Data Tables dialog.

Input Handler Settings

Note that which input handlers are available depends on the type of input parameter that is selected (Value, Column or Table). You will not be able to select from all of the input handlers described below when specifying the input for a selected parameter.

Option	Description
Column
Data table	Allows you to select the data table from which to retrieve the input column.
Column	Allows you to specify which column to use as input from the selected data table.
Limit by	Use a combination of filtering and markings to limit the calculations to rows matching the specified settings only. If more than one option is selected, then calculations will be performed for rows matching the intersection of the selected filtering and markings only. Leave both the Filtered rows and the Marked rows check boxes blank to base calculations on all rows.
Filtered rows	Select this check box to limit the calculations to rows remaining after filtering with the specified filtering scheme.
Marked rows	Select this check box to limit the calculations to rows marked by the selected markings. If more than one marking is available in your analysis, you need to determine which marking or markings to control the calculation. If more than one marking is selected, then calculations will be performed for rows matching the intersection of the markings.
Columns
Data table	Allows you to select the data table from which to retrieve the input columns.
Columns	Lists the selected input columns. Click Select Columns... to change columns.
Select Columns...	Opens a dialog where you can specify which columns to include as input to the function.
Limit by	See a description of the options under Column above.
Expression
Data table	Allows you to select the data table to evaluate the expression against.
Expression	Displays the expression.
Edit...	Opens the Edit Expression dialog where you can specify an expression.
Limit by	See a description of the options under Column above.
Value
Value	Allows you to type an input value in the text box.
Document property
Property	Allows you to select a document property to use as input. Use the search field to help locate your property.
New...	Opens the New Property dialog where you can define a new document property to use as an input parameter.
Edit...	Opens the Edit Property dialog where you can change the value of the selected property.
Delete	Deletes the selected property.
Data table property
Data table	Allows you to select the data table to work with.
Property	Allows you to select a data table property to use as input. Use the search field to help locate your property.
New...	Opens the New Property dialog where you can define a new data table property to use as an input parameter.
Edit...	Opens the Edit Property dialog where you can change the value of the selected property.
Delete	Deletes the selected property.
Column property
Data table	Allows you to select the data table to work with.
Column	Allows you to select which column to work with.
Property	Allows you to select the column property you wish to use as input.
New...	Opens the New Property dialog where you can define a new column property to use as an input parameter.
Edit...	Opens the Edit Property dialog where you can change the value of the selected property.
Delete	Deletes the selected property.
None	No input handler has been selected. This can be used for optional input parameters. If the input parameter is required, you must specify a different input handler to be able to continue.