How to: Append Tables Using the Append Operator

The Append operator is commonly used to append values, but it can also combine two tables of different information.

Configuration

In this how-to guide, you'll create an application that combines two tables. First, you'll configure two Data Table components to serve as your inputs. Then, you'll use a Data Workflow to append them. The appended result will display the records from the first table, followed by the records from the second table.

These instructions assume you’re working in a new module that has been opened, saved, and given a title.

Configure the First Data Table Component

You'll begin by adding your first Data Table component to store data you'll bring into your Data Workflow. This sample data consists of a list of dogs, names, and breeds.

1. In the Module Builder, drag and drop a Data Table component onto your canvas.

2. In the Property ID and Canvas Label Text fields, enter dtDogs.

3. In the data table, enter the following:

   A	B
   name	breed
   Ivy	Golden Retriever
   Lucy	Golden Retriever
   Wally	Hound

4. Click Save & Close.

Configure the Second Data Table Component

The second Data Table component contains another list of dogs, names, and breeds.

1. Drag and drop a second Data Table component onto your canvas, placing it below your first Data Table component.

2. In the Property ID and Canvas Label Text fields, enter dtBreeds.

3. In the data table, enter the following:

   A	B
   name	breed
   Nacho	Pug
   Thor	Corgidor
   Holly	Golden Retriever

4. Click Save & Close.

Configure the Hidden Component

Next, add a Hidden component to serve as the primary output for your Data Workflow. Later, you'll set up a ViewGrid component to reference the data from the Hidden component and display your combined tables.

1. Drag and drop a Hidden component onto your canvas, placing it below your Data Table components.

2. In the Property ID and Canvas Label Text fields, enter appendedTableValue.

3. Click Save & Close.

Configure the ViewGrid Component

To display your combined tables, configure a ViewGrid component. This ViewGrid component references the data from the Hidden component. Here, you'll set the column labels to Name and Breed, as you did in the Data Table components.

1. Drag and drop a ViewGrid component onto your canvas, placing it below your Hidden component.

2. In the Label and Property Name fields, enter gridAppendedTables.

3. In the Inputs table, in the ID column, enter appendedTableValue.

4. In the Display table, enter the following:

   id	formula	heading
   name		Name
   breed		Breed

   

5. Click Save.

Configure the Data Workflow Component

Next, you'll add your Data Workflow component and bring in both Data Table components using two Input operators. Then, you'll add an Append operator to combine both tables. Lastly, you'll send the result to your Hidden component using an Output operator.

1. Drag and drop a Data Workflow component onto your canvas, placing it below your ViewGrid component.

2. In the Property ID and Canvas Label Text fields, enter dwfAppendTables.

3. Set the Trigger Type as Watch.

Configure the First Input Operator

1. Drag and drop an Input operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Input
   Component	dtDogs
   Required	Yes
   Source	Default

Configure the Second Input Operator

1. Drag and drop an Input operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Input
   Component	dtBreeds
   Required	Yes
   Source	Default

Configure the Append Operator

1. Drag and drop an Append operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Append
   Label	Append Tables

3. Connect the output port (right) of the dtDogs Input operator to the upper input port (left) of the Append operator.

4. Connect the output port (right) of the dtBreeds Input operator to the lower input port (left) of the Append operator.

Configure the Output Operator

1. Drag and drop an Output operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Output
   Component	appendedTableValue
   Action	value

3. Connect the output port (right) of the Append Tables Append operator to the input port (left) of the appendTableValue Output operator.

   

4. Click Save.

5. Save your module.

Here's how the completed module looks in the Module Builder:

Preview your module in Express View. You’ll see your ViewGrid component displaying the data from your individual Data Table components. The appended results display the records from the first table followed by the records from the second.