I cannot seem to get a valid custom expression containing a column name stored in a Document Property to work for the error bars on my bar chart.

[JP Lee]

Using the v4.0.3 client.

 

I cannot seem to get a valid custom expression containing a column name stored in a Document Property to work for the error bars on my bar chart.

 

The document property is a column name (String). I rt-click on the column for the error bar, and select Custom Expression. In the Custom Expression builder, I (naively) create the following:

 

StdDev ( DocumentProperty("ColumnName" )

 

I try to "enclose" it in ${ and }, but no luck there either. I try using [ and ], but nope. I try both together, and still no luck.It seems like in the Error Bar dialog, that custom expressions containing Document Properties do not return the text string.

 

Anyone know how to make this work

thx,

JP

[Manoj Chaurasia]

Thanks, but I did try that, without success:

StdDev ( [${DocumentProperty("ColumnName")}] )

The resulting expression is undefined - in the Custom Expression dialog:

StdDev([undefined])

I think there's something about the DocumentProperty() insert that does not work in this case / context.

When I strip out the DocumentProperty() wrapper, meaning I make the Expression:

StdDev ( [${ColumnName}] )

The resulting expression in the dialog is correct, but I then get an error box stating "Preprocessor syntax is not supported". That's a big help.

So, any other advice greatly appreciated!

JP

[Manoj Chaurasia]

StdDev(${colName}) works for me in 5.0 if my colName document property contails my "sales" column.

Check if you actually have a ColumnName property in your document properties (edit/document properties/properties)

When you don't have such property or you delete it, then you get StdDev(undefined)

[Manoj Chaurasia]

Just checking, does your column you are passing to the expression contain valid data for performing a standard deviation calculation

[Manoj Chaurasia]

You have to use both types of brackets. [${PropertyName}]

the ${ } tells Spotfire to put the value of the document property in its place

The [ ] then are used the same way you would to call out any other column

[JP Lee]

And I get the same results in v5.5 client.

[JP Lee]

No dedicated "ColumnName" property - I added one for my dynamic column name. That part works fine. If I hardcode a column name (so it does not change with markings), the StdDev computes fine. I sent this example along to TIBCO support, and it is indeed a defect, and they added me to the "list". So maybe someday it gets fixed. Not holding my breath. Scripted my way around it. Thanks for the suggestions.

JP

[Andrew Birnberg]

Although this is a very old issue, I encountered the same thing today using Spotfire 7.8. The problem appears to be that the error bar widget doesn't allow "preprocessor" syntax in custom expressions. In order to get around this, I ended up creating a calculated column based on the column name stored in my column drop down menu. I was then able to use the calculatedcolumn in the custom expression for my error bars. The calculated column updates itself whenever you change the associated propertyin the drop down menu.

[Randi Cowin]

@birnbera - how did you do this