The field editor enables you to act perform actions on a data source in order to:

• View its contents.

• Select the columns that can be used by widgets pointing to it.

• Check the exact type of each field, e.g. date, integer, etc. and correct it manually if required so that data can be correctly processed by widgets. The automatic detection of field types may not work correctly for certain types of data sources such as REST data sources or CSV files.

Example

You want to correct the field type in a CSV file containing the yearly number of incidents handled by Service Desk employees.

Notes

• For EasyVista data sources, information on field types is automatically retrieved from the  database.
• By default, all of the data source columns are selected.
• In edit mode, only the first 15 data source records are displayed. In execute mode, all of the data source records are displayed.

• You can use different options for certain field types to narrow down the field.

Caution

• For CSV data sources, remember to specify delimiters for the downloaded file. This enables the field editor to read file data correctly.

Incorrect configuration		Correct configuration
Column Separator Character: ,   (comma) ==>   The editor displays a single column (all data source columns are concatenated)		Column Separator Character: ;   (semicolon) ==>   The editor displays the five columns in the file

Best practice

• You can add a field to the data source selection in two ways.  See the Screen description.
  • Select the move handle  of a field to move it to the relevant area in the data source.
  • Use the radio button next to each field to place it automatically in the last position in the data source.

Screen description

Access: In the Properties Inspector of a data source, click the button found below the Configure Field Types property

The field editor is made up of two zones:

• The left pane (1): List of fields available, not selected in the data source.
  • These fields cannot be displayed in widgets pointing to the data source.
     
  • Move handle  above the field or radio button next to the field: Used to display a field in the data source by moving it to the right pane.
     

• The right pane (2): Preview of the selected fields in the data source and the first 15 records of the data source.
  • These fields can be displayed in widgets pointing to the data source.
     
  • Move handle  above the column header. Used to move the column within the table.
  •  : Used to remove the field from the data source selection by moving it back to the left pane. You can also use its move handle .
  •  : Used to rename the field. You can also click in the column header.
  • Type: List of field types available. A list of additional options will automatically be displayed for certain field types.

How to use the field editor

1. In the Properties Inspector of a data source, click the button found below the Configure Field Types property. The field editor will appear.

2. Select the fields you want to display in widgets pointing to the data source.

• To display a field available in the left pane:
  • Click the radio button next to the field. It will automatically be positioned after the last data source column.
  • You can also select the move handle  and move the field to the relevant area in the right pane.

• To remove a field from the data source selection in the right pane:
  • Click  in the column header.
  • You can also select the move handle  and move the field to the left pane.

3. Check that the type of each field is correct in the right pane. If required, modify it using the Type drop-down list found below each column header. Specify the additional options that are automatically displayed based on the type of field.

4. Select the move handle  found above each column header to arrange the columns in the order you want in the right pane.

5. If you want to modify the name of a column, you can click  or click the column header.

6. Click [ OK ]. The field editor will close. All widgets pointing to the data source will automatically be updated.