Virtual Column Calculations

The Virtual Column Calculations editor is divided into a number of panels. You can drag elements onto the canvas and specify settings to build your calculations.

Note: For more information about Virtual Calculated Columns, see Virtual Column Calculations.

Virtual Column Calculations panel

This visual separation of elements makes understanding and using the editor quicker and easier:

Tool-Panel

(Green highlight above.) Displays a grouped list of PQL custom column elements and functions that can be used in custom column calculations.

Properties Panel

(Orange highlight.) The Properties panel allows you to customize column settings, defining the save context of the custom column (that is, the table the resulting virtual column should appear in), and a number of other properties of the custom column:

Settings

  • Column Name: The name of the new calculated column.
  • Parent Table: The name of the table in which the new calculated column will exist. Defaults to the name of the table being edited, and cannot be changed.
  • Hide Attribute: A checkbox to optionally hide the new virtual column.
  • Display Folder: Defines how the custom column appears in the Discover Dimensions elements panel.
  • Sort By Column: Sets default sorting of the values (Members) in the calculated custom column. See Sort Column configuration for more details.
  • Category Type: Sets the category of the attribute, such as Date (Years, Months, Weeks etc.), Geographic (Latitude / Longitude, Country, State, etc.). See Column Configuration for more details.

Macro Buttons

The Macro buttons in the top-right (red highlight) include:

  • Apply: Saves and applies the calculation as a new column in the table.
  • Preview: Executes the calculation and the results are displayed in the Result Preview pane
  • Script Mode: Opens the Calculated Columns script editor where the PQL expressions can be written directly.

Processing Tabs

The Processing tabs below the canvas (white highlight) include:

  • Properties: Displays at the bottom of the screen, details and configuration options about the selected block in the graphical editor window
  • Problems: If a custom column fails when tested, the reasons will be displayed in the Problems panel.
  • Result Preview: When testing custom columns using the execute button, a preview will appear in the Results Preview panel.