Summary
The issue at hand is removing aggregation from column headers in a Spotfire Cross Table. By default, Spotfire displays the aggregation method used (e.g., Sum) in the column titles, which can make the columns too wide. The goal is to simplify the column titles to only show the column name without the aggregation method.
Root Cause
The root cause of this issue is the default behavior of Spotfire’s Cross Table, which includes the aggregation method in the column titles. This is because the custom expression for the Horizontal axis (“Column Names”) is set to <Axis.Default.Names>, which includes the aggregation method.
Why This Happens in Real Systems
This issue occurs in real systems because:
- Default settings: Spotfire’s default settings prioritize displaying detailed information, including aggregation methods, in column titles.
- Lack of customization: Users may not be aware of the ability to customize the column titles or may not know how to do so.
- Complex data: When working with complex data, the default column titles can become cumbersome and difficult to read.
Real-World Impact
The impact of this issue includes:
- Decreased readability: Column titles that include aggregation methods can make the table harder to read and understand.
- Increased column width: The added text in the column titles can cause the columns to become too wide, making the table more difficult to navigate.
- User frustration: Users may become frustrated with the default behavior and seek alternative solutions or workarounds.
Example or Code (if necessary and relevant)
// Custom expression to remove aggregation from column titles
=Substring(, Length("Sum(") + 1, Length() - Length("Sum(") - 1)How Senior Engineers Fix It
Senior engineers fix this issue by:
- Customizing the column titles: Using a custom expression to remove the aggregation method from the column titles.
- Utilizing Spotfire’s expression language: Leveraging Spotfire’s expression language to manipulate the column titles and remove unwanted text.
- Testing and refining: Testing the custom expression and refining it as needed to ensure the desired outcome.
Why Juniors Miss It
Junior engineers may miss this solution because:
- Lack of experience: Limited experience with Spotfire and its expression language can make it difficult to identify the solution.
- Unfamiliarity with customization options: Junior engineers may not be aware of the ability to customize column titles or may not know how to access the relevant settings.
- Overlooking default settings: Junior engineers may overlook the default settings and assume that the behavior is not customizable.