VI Expand Process Object

The Visual Integrator (VI) Expand process object expands a single row into multiple rows. Two columns define an inclusive range, such that each value in the range generates an additional row. Combining the expanded data with the Lookup process object allows you to perform lookups on a range.

VI Expand Process Object icon

The Expand process object has Closedthree panes where you set attributes.

VI Expand All Panes

You set attributes for the Expand process object in the Closedobject attributes pane.

VI Expand Object Attributes pane

Attribute Description
Input

Defines the object from which the data flow arrives. Use one of the following methods to attach the Expand object to an input data flow object:

  • Right-click the input data flow object, and click New Object after this > Process > Expand.

  • Place an Expand object on the task flow, and click its Input attribute's browse button. Move the pointer to the task flow, and note that a dotted-line connector is attached to the Expand object. Attach this connector to the input data flow object.

    NOTE: The Expand object's Input attribute is now populated with the name of the input data flow object.
Output_Column Specifies a name for a generated column that contains each value of the range.
Expand_Type

Specifies the range type from the list:

  • integer (default)—Specifies that the range is an integer range. The source columns marked for the Start and End attributes in the column grid must contain integer values. The output column contains all the integer values from the Start attribute value through the End attribute value.
  • date—Specifies that the range is a date range. The source columns marked for the Start and End attributes in the column grid must define dates in standard DI date format (YYYY/MM/DD) or ISO date format (YYYY-MM-DD). The output column contains all the date values from the Start attribute date through the End attribute date. The date values have the same format as the Start attribute.
  • fiscal month, fiscal week, month, or week—Specifies that the range is a period range. The source columns marked for the Start and End attributes in the column grid must define periods (YYYY/PP or YYYY-PP). The output column contains all period values from the Start attribute period through the End attribute period. The period values have the same format as the Start attribute. Each year is assumed to have 12 months, 52 weeks, 13 fiscal months, and 53 fiscal weeks.
  • quarter—Specifies that the range is a quarter range. The source columns marked for the Start and End attributes in the column grid must define periods in quarters (YYYY/Q or YYYY-Q). The output column contains all quarter values from the Start attribute quarter through the End attribute quarter. The quarter values have the same format as the Start attribute. Each year is assumed to have four quarters.

Each object has an area where you can enter comments.

It is a DI best practice to enter a note for every object in a VI script. You can set a VI preference to give a warning for each object without a note. For more information, see Visual Integrator Preferences.

ClosedExpand process object with comments

VI Expand Object with comments

The ClosedExpand column grid displays the input columns from the input data flow.

VI Expand Column Grid

Attribute Description
Input Column Displays the name of each input column. This attribute is read-only.
Source Object

Displays the name and object type of the source object. Double-click the Source Object for a column to change the task flow focus to that object.
Start Specifies the input column whose value defines the start of the range.
End Specifies the input column whose value defines the end of the range.

With the following Closedinput data:

Example of input for a VI Expand process object

And the following ClosedExpand object settings:

Example of settings for a VI Expand process object

You get the following expanded Closedoutput:

Example of output for a VI Expand process object