Replacing data
There are several different methods you can use to replace data in Spotfire. If linking the data to the source is not enough, you can select to replace a data source within a data table, or, to replace the entire data table. You can also replace the values in a column using a transformation, or a single value within a column using one of the Replace Value-options.
Reload a linked source
The easiest form of replacing your data is to use linked data in your analysis. Linked data can be configured to always use new data when the analysis is opened, and you can reload it from the data canvas at any time. This is, most of the times, the preferred option when you want fresh data from the source at all times.
Replace data table
If you select to replace a data table, the operation will replace everything, including all sources within that data table. All previously added transformations, added columns or rows from other sources, deleted rows, or replaced values, will be lost. Calculated columns and inserted hierarchies will remain, though, because they are applied on the final data table.
Use this option to switch to completely different data, or to switch the type of data table from an in-db table to an imported table, or vice versa, which is not possible when replacing the data source only.
Replace data source
Replacing a data source only replaces that particular data source, but keeps the other parts of the data table intact. That means that all transformations, calculations, added rows or columns, and operations that were used to build the final data table (all steps between the first added data source and the final data table in the source view of the data canvas) are kept as is.
Use this option to switch from a test database to a production database, or when your data remains exactly the same but is moved from one type of data source to another.
Calculate and replace column (installed client only)
Use the Calculate and replace column transformation to modify a column using an expression before you use it in your analysis. For example, to remove a part of a string that is not needed.
Replace value
Use Replace value to change a value on a specific row, or a misspelled value in all rows of a column, or use the functionality to substitute empty values in a column.
- Reloading data
If you know that the data sources used in your analysis are refreshed often and you want to make sure you view the absolutely latest data, you can reload data during a session, without having to reopen the analysis. - Reloading data for a single data source
When you are working with data from Salesforce, Google Analytics or saved data files in the library, you can keep the data linked to the source, so that the data is reloaded from the source each time you open the analysis. However, you may also want to reload the linked data during a session, without having to reopen the analysis. For example, if you know that data in the source is refreshed every five minutes and you want to view the absolutely latest data, then you can reload the data for a particular data source as described in this topic. - Replacing a data table
You can replace a data table in your analysis with data files that are saved locally on your computer, data that has been previously saved to the library, or, if you have access, you can use data from available data connections. - Replacing a data source
A data table can be based on data from one or more data sources. You can replace an individual data source in the data canvas if the data table is linked and not top-level embedded. This is often preferred over replacing the entire data table. - Replacing empty values in a column
When you have empty values in your data, you can easily replace them in the Spotfire clients. - Replacing a value
If you find that a value in your data table is misspelled, or, if one value has been entered on a different form than the other values in the column, you can replace that value directly from a table visualization, from the Details-on-Demand, or from the column overview in the expanded Data in analysis flyout.