You are here: FME Transformers > Using Transformer Parameters and Setting Defaults > Transformer Parameter Menu Options

Transformer Parameter Menu Options

Most transformer parameters are now integrated so that the options can be easily configured with other elements in the workspace.

This means that the parameters can be set, changed, published or unpublished, set to an attribute value, or linked to another parameter. More advanced functions, such as an advanced editor and an arithmetic editor, are also available in some transformers.

It's important to remember that you can still use a transformer with its default values, as long as there are no required parameters (red-shaded fields). The parameter menu allows easy access more advanced settings.

Accessing the Parameter Menu

The options that will appear for a transformer depend on the type of transformer that you are using. If the transformer supports it, the menu displays after you open the transformer properties and click the parameter menu button on the right side. This menu will usually display different options for each transformer parameter. The most common parameters are described below.

Parameter Menu Options – General Parameters

These menu choices are available in most transformers:

Menu Choice Available Description

Link to Parameter

For all parameters except transformer name and new attribute names

This will set the value of the parameter to a user or system parameter.

There are three ways you can set to a parameter:

If the transformer is connected, you can select an existing user parameter from the list.

Create a user parameter by selecting Create New User Parameter. This will open the Add/Edit Parameter dialog.

Select a system parameter. These are built-in parameters that FME always defines. For more detail on each system parameter see System Parameters.

Clear Value

Always

Clears all values and returns the parameter to an empty state.

For choice parameters, Clear Value will take you back to the drop-down list.

Set To Attribute Value

If the parameter can take the value of an existing attribute from the input feature

Set a parameter value to the value of an existing attribute.

Even if the parameter takes only a simple Yes/No value, you might want to ensure that you carry this value through to other transformer parameters without having to explicitly set them.

Parameter Menu Options - Transformer Parameters

Some parameter menu choices that appear depend on the transformer parameter type. Because each transformer parameter is unique, the associated parameter menu is also unique.

The table below lists some of the more common transformer parameters:

Menu Choice Description

Change Selection

Opens a dialog that allows you to choose multiple list items. For example, all transformer Group By parameters display this menu choice.

Select Attribute

Select an attribute from the list.

Choose Font

In transformers that include font definitions, this menu choice displays the font chooser dialog.

Open Arithmetic Editor

Opens a dialog that allows you to input an arithmetic equation, such as “1+2”, that will be evaluated at runtime.

Open Editor

Opens the basic or advanced text editor, depending on the settings in FME Options.

Select Color

For any parameters that accept color definitions, this menu choice opens the color picker.

Select Coordinate System

For any parameters that accept coordinate system definitions, this menu choice opens the Coordinate System Gallery.

Select Directory/Source Filename/Dataset File

Opens a directory/file browser in transformer parameters that require directories or files as input.
Select Format Allows you to select the format of a reader or writer.

Select FME Workspace

Opens a file browser when selected in transformers that work with FME Server.

Select Raster

Opens a dialog that allows you to select raster bands and palettes.

Select XML Input

Opens a file browser when selected in transformers that work with XML files.

Set Geometry

Opens a dialog that allows you to define geometry.