Data Tables Overview


With Spotfire it is possible to work with more than one data table within a single analysis. Below is a short description of the different concepts used when handling multiple data tables.

A data table is either fetched from a data source, or created within the application. It can also be built-up from multiple sources. Data loaded from a data source can be handled either in-memory or in-database depending on how it is added to the analysis. In-memory data tables have one or more columns and zero or more rows, whereas in-database data tables technically do not contain any data but simply fetch the requested data directly from the source. See Data Overview for more information.

In-memory data tables can be linked or embedded. Linked data tables can be loaded completely into the application, but if the source is a data connection or an information link they can also be configured to load data on demand only.

Different kind of links between tables

On-demand data tables

On-demand data tables are data tables to which only rows related to a defined input are loaded. The input could be something like the marked rows in another, related, data table, the filtered rows of another data table or a property value selected in a text area. Changing the input means changing the "demand", i.e., that more, fewer or other rows are loaded into the data table. On-demand data tables can be used by Details Visualizations, and only data from information links or data connections can be loaded on demand.

In-database data tables

Because data from in-database data tables is retrieved only when needed, the use of an in-database data table as a details visualization may also be seen as a type of on-demand visualization. For obvious reasons, this is not applicable for streaming data, because it is in fact updated continuously and not only when needed.

To add a new data table:

See Choosing the Data to Analyze and Choosing How to Load the Data.

To delete a data table:

Tip: You can delete multiple data tables at once from the Data Table Properties dialog.

  1. On the authoring bar, click Data canvas .

  2. Make sure the data table of interest is selected.

  3. On the toolbar, click Delete.

  4. Confirm by clicking OK.

To rename a data table:

Tip: You can also rename a data table from the Data Table Properties dialog.

  1. On the authoring bar, click Data canvas .

  2. Make sure the data table of interest is selected.

  3. On the toolbar, click Rename.

  4. Type a new data table name and click OK.

To reload data for a part of a data table:

You can, at any time, reload the data from a linked source manually. See Embedded or Linked Data? for more information.

  1. On the authoring bar, click Data canvas .

  2. In the graphical structure, click on the node of interest.

  3. Click on the lower part of the node (with a different shade), showing the Data loading icon.

  4. In the Data loading pop-over, click Reload data, .

    Response: The data is reloaded.

To reload an entire data table:

Note: Reload may affect embedded data tables, as well as linked ones. See Embedded or Linked Data? for more information.

Note: Reload of in-database data tables will only reload the data, not the schema. See Data Source Settings if you need a full schema refresh.

  1. In the data canvas, select the data table you wish to reload.

  2. On the data canvas toolbar, click Reload and select whether to reload Linked data only or All data.

    Comment: The Linked data option will reload all linked parts of the selected data table that have access to the original source, except for linked sources configured to use Stored data. The All data option will reload all sources in the selected data table that have access to the original source, including Stored data and Embedded data.

    Comment: If you want to edit transformations before the reload, you can do this from the data canvas. To modify import settings for a source (e.g., for an Excel file), you can replace the data source with itself.

    Comment: The Reload button might be unavailable for some of your data tables. For example, this might happen if  you have added rows or columns to an embedded data table, and not all sources are possible to reload, or, if you have frozen some columns in a data table. In that case the data table cannot be reloaded.

To reload all data tables:

Note: Reloading all data tables may take a long time if one or more data tables are very big.

Linked data with the Data loading settings Always new data or New data when possible, will be updated by selecting Data > Reload linked data on the menu bar. However, linked data sources that have the Data loading set to Stored data will not be reloaded using this procedure.

When selecting Data > Reload all data on the menu bar, all sources in the selected data table that have access to the original source will be updated, including Stored data and Embedded data. See Embedded or Linked Data? for more information.

To set up an on-demand data table:

  1. On the authoring bar, click Files and data .

  2. In the Files and data flyout, locate the information link or data table from a data connection holding the desired data by searching for a suitable keyword or by browsing the different categories.

  3. In the summary view showing the data tables to add or update, click on the data of interest and select On demand from the drop-down list showing load methods.

  4. Click Configure.

  5. Define what type of input will control the on-demand loading.

    Comment: For more details see Loading Data on Demand and Details on Define Input.

  6. Click OK.

To update a visualization using an on-demand data table manually:

  1. When the input controlling the on-demand data table is changed, a refresh button is shown on the title bar of the visualization.

    Comment: If the title bar has been hidden, right-click on the visualization and select Properties. On the General page, select the Show title bar check box.

  2. Click the refresh button, .

To replace a data table:

  1. See Replacing Data.

To recalculate a data table:

  1. When the filtering behind a calculated data table is changed, a refresh button is shown on the title bar of the visualization.

    Comment: If the title bar has been hidden, right-click on the visualization and select Properties. On the General page, select the Show title bar check box.

  2. Click the refresh button, .

To save data tables:

All data tables currently in the analysis will be saved in the document when saving an analysis file. See Saving an Analysis File or Saving an Analysis File in the Library for more information.

To export data from a data table:

  1. See Exporting Data.

To prompt for settings each time an analysis file is loaded:

  1. On the menu bar, select Data > Data table properties.

  2. Click to select the data table of interest from the list.

  3. Click Linked (individual settings per source).

  4. Select Prompt for new settings before loading.

  5. Click OK.

To filter a data table:

See Filtering Data.

To change the main data table in a visualization:

See also:

Working with Data Tables

Multiple Data Tables in One Visualization

How to Edit Column Properties

How to Use a Data Function