BusinessObjects Board

Dynamically Move Data Based on Trigger Cell

other Xcelsius - Crystal Dashboard Design
#1

What I am looking to do is dynamically move a block of data from one range of cells to another. In this aspect it is similar to Push Button BUT the key difference is that I don’t want the user to have to push the button. What I would instead like to do is have it happen dynamically based on a trigger cell.

Ideally this trigger functionality would work similar to the refresh trigger for data connection. What I mean by this is that you can have it execute either when the trigger cell becomes a certain value or when the trigger cell changes.

Has anyone seen this type of functionality (either work around or custom component)? I feel like this would have a lot of application but just can’t seem to find any add-ons that meet the requirements.

mtbiknole (BOB member since 2009-01-21)

#2

I just had a similar issue, found your post, then solved it myself.

Solution I came up with:

  • Monitor Cell: A1 — Where something will happen
  • Output Cell: A2 — Where other things look at for visibility
  • Trigger Cell: A3 — Where the magic happens

A3 = IF(A1=“Loading”,0,A2)

Then I used the “Other/Source Data” component, pointing it as:

  • Source: A3 -------- only changes if “monitor cell” falls into what you want
  • Destination: A2 ------- bam! worked first time
  • Type: value

This component seems to only react when the values are differing. I was worried I’d end up in an infinite loop, but I’m seeing zero impace from this.

Cheers,
-Mike L

Michael Lowden (BOB member since 2012-09-26)

#3

You don’t even need a component, do you, if your data is already in the model and you just want to move it? Just an IF statement…

if (something happens, put X, put Y).

I use it all the time to dynamically change graphs. I have one graph component used to display lots of different things.

Or am I missing the point here?

debbie

Debbie :uk: (BOB member since 2005-03-01)

#4

Hi Debbie, sort of correct. But the scenario I had was this:

  1. Users launch dashboard
  2. Parameters screen auto appears (can be re-launched at any time)
  3. Once the users select the parameters and hit “ok”, the parameters screen dissappears and a loading screen appears.
  4. Once all the queries are finished loading, the users are returned to the main canvas on whatever tab they where on before.

This “trigger” I’ve setup as a table like this:
Main Screen: 1
1=Welcome Screen
2=Metrics Scree
3=Help/About

Pop Screen:1
1=Parameters
2=Parameter Search
3=Regional Sales Metrics
4=Organization Metrics
5=etc.

let’s refer to this with [1:1], where if I say [1:0] that means they are on the Welcome Screen without a Pop Screen. (eg: [MainTab:PopScreen])

I have a monitor cell that is watching for the “sum” of the queries to see if any given one of them is loading. This has two effects, it posts the loading dialogue, and pushes a “0” into the PopScreen cell above … thus hiding all potential popup sreens.

So, if I am at [2:4] and I want to change my parameters. I navigate away from [2:4] to [2:0] by closing the popup. Then I go to the parameters dialogue [2:1] (perhaps perform a search [2:2]), alter my values and click “refresh”. This causes the “loading dialogue” to appear because it is dynamically watching for “loading” in all the queries, but also pushes a “0” into the PopScreens cell. Allowing for the “loading” screen to fade away and return us to [2:0] without the parameters dialogue still visible. Essentially, one button now has multiple influences.

In this case, my monitor cell would be looking at the PopScreen state for it’s default IF(bool,true,false) “false” state. But if all of sudden a “loading” is detected the SourceData component quickly pushes a “0” to he PopScreen dialogue, which closes the parameters window for the user.

Whoah! I have no idea if that described it well at all. but alas, there is it.

Michael Lowden (BOB member since 2012-09-26)

#5

Need more coffee to think through that … but if it works for you then don’t mess with it!

Interesting the way you approach it though. I have a set of parameters too, but I load the dashboard with a default set, so the users don’t have to select anything to see global data. They can then change parameters to re-fire the queries if they want more detailed data.

Debbie

Debbie :uk: (BOB member since 2005-03-01)

#6

Hi…

I am new to dashboards. I have a radio button that selects a country, based on which the spreadsheet gets data n loads to tree maps. My problem is when i am changing the country in the selection, if it is having less data than the previous country’s data, i am getting those extra rowsa also in the mappimg… Could u pls let me now how can i clear data in the spreadsheet before getting data for each radio option.

Thanks in advance…

Pavanisapp (BOB member since 2014-05-22)