Create input parameters
You can create input parameters to enter dynamic values that are passed into the data transformation step (for example, for filtering) or passed to the data source itself.
By using parameters sets you are enabled to create dynamic URLs for your XML source and RAQL queries. The parameters are used to dynamically pass context from dashboards to applications via URLs. You can create dynamic URLs and query parameters providing required context to open URLs, invoke web services, etc.
The functionality is available in the Assign data (1/2) dialog.
Procedure
1. Click a component inserted in the dashboard.
The relevant properties dialog is displayed.
2. Click the 
Assign data icon to edit the data source assignment. The Assign data (1/2) dialog is displayed.
3. Click the Input parameters box.
4. Click the required input parameter type in the Add input parameters area.
There are input parameters of Text, Number and Date type available. The selection enables the dynamic entry of text, date or numerical values in data feed processing.
5. Enter a Name for your parameter set.
6. Enter an optional Default value.
The default value will be used if the input parameter is not filled by the dashboard context. For example, if the input parameter is filled by the selection of an other component and there is nothing selected.
7. Enter a Preview value.
The preview value is used to calculate a data preview (debug run) in the data assignment dialog. See
data source assignment.
8. Click the Data flow box to display the data source overview.
The input parameter is displayed in the Input parameters box. The defined input parameters are only available for the current selected component.
You can use the input parameters for the XML, CSV, JDBC, MS Excel data source, RAQL queries and ARIS table of the current
data source assignment. The data source operator provides the available input parameters via the
Insert parameter button (
).
If you use the input parameter in an XML data source URL, then you can specify, that the value of the parameter should be URL encoded. For an input parameter of Date or Number type you can additionally specify the format pattern.
The JDBC data source and sources using RAQL queries handle the parameters as typed values. In all other cases, there are parameter options for converting Number or Date values to a text representation for insertion.
To specify the parameter properties select the inserted input parameter, click the
Parameter options (
) button and select the option required. See also
data source assignment.
Input parameters are also available for several data transformation operators, for example, Insert column, to enter dynamic values into columns. The list of parameters provided, depends on the selected data type of the relevant column.
The input parameters are also provided as filter elements by the dashboard component. See
Define filters for dashboard components for details.
Input parameter of
List type are available for processing value lists,
Date user input (List),
Number user input (List), and
Text user input (List). They can be used, fore example, for filtering using multiple selection. See
Define filters for dashboard components for details.