Adding rows to a data table

If you are working with imported (in-memory) data, you can add rows from a different source to your current data table. Data can be added from a local file, a data file previously saved in the Spotfire library (using the installed client), from data functions that produce data, from data connections saved in the library, or you can add data directly from Google Analytics or from Salesforce, if you have access to those systems. In the installed client you can also add data directly from other data sources using connectors, from information links, or from the clipboard.

About this task

Even though data from different data tables often can be viewed in the same visualization, it might be preferred to actually incorporate similar data into a single data table. For example, if all columns are the same in the data sources and you know that you want to use summarized values from all sources in your visualization.

You add data from the Files and data flyout or from the Data canvas.

When you add data from the Files and data flyout, you can select to add the data as new rows in another data table from the final step in the add data workflow:

You can also insert rows into a specific place in a data table structure, as described below.

Before you begin

You must have some data loaded in the analysis, and the analysis must be in Editing mode.

Procedure

On the authoring bar, click Data canvas .
Make sure the data table of interest is selected.
This step is only applicable if you have two or more data tables in the analysis.
In the data table structure, click on the plus sign between the nodes where you want to insert rows, and select Add rows.

Tip: You can also add rows between previously added transformation groups for a selected node.
Select data to add rows from.
In the flyout, click Settings for added rows.
In the Add rows – match columns dialog, verify that the suggested column matching is valid, or edit the matching as desired. This is done by adding or removing matches between columns From original data and From new data.
Click on the plus sign and select a column from the list to add a match for one of the columns from the original data. Click on the x on a row to remove a match.

Alternatively, you can select Use auto-match to automatically match on name and data type, if you know that these are the same in both sources. However, with auto-match, Spotfire will automatically match columns on name and data type each time the data is reloaded and manual matching of columns will be unavailable.

Tip: When adding rows, you will append new rows to the original data table. This means that you should probably try to match as many columns as possible. See the preview for a hint on how data will be matched.
Optionally, if there are additional columns in the added data, you can select to include or skip these columns under Include additional columns from new data by selecting or clearing the check box for each column.

Note: If the data source from which data was added can be reloaded, and new columns become available after a reload, then the new columns will automatically become included. If this is not desired, you may want to exclude new columns after reloading data by editing the settings for added rows.
Optionally, change the settings under Identify origin of rows in a column.
Select Do not identify origin to skip this option, Create new column to add a new column with different values for data from the original source and data from the added source, or select Use existing column to add this information to an existing column.
When you are done, click OK.

Example: Adding rows from Salesforce

In this example, data has already been opened from a local Excel file. In the Data canvas, select the data table of interest, determine where you want to add rows (between the nodes in the graphical structure or between transformation groups), and click Add rows:

Choose a new or a predefined connection to Salesforce and sign in. Select the data to add and click OK. In the Add rows – match columns dialog, verify that the suggested column matching is valid, or add or remove matches between columns From original data and From new data. When you are satisfied with the data selection and settings, click OK to close the flyout and add the data.