In this example, we have a dataset of food trees. For each location, there may be any number of individual trees, and the names of the varieties are stored in the FOOD_TREE_VARIETIES attribute. The names of the varieties are separated by semicolons - “;”.

We will split this attribute into a list attribute for further processing in the workspace.

The Food Trees dataset is routed into an AttributeSplitter, where the new list attribute - Varieties{} - will be created.

In the parameters dialog, we select the name of the attribute and define how the split should be done. Delimiter or Format String is set to ; (semicolon), any whitespace will be trimmed, any empty parts will be dropped, and the new list attribute is named Varieties.

Viewing the results in the Data Inspector, the FOOD_TREE_VARIETIES attribute has been split into its component parts, and the parts have been added as individual elements to the new list attribute.

In this example, we have a shapefile containing points of interest, with postal addresses included as a single attribute. The parts of the addresses are separated by commas.

Unlike the first example (with a variable number of tree types), we do know how many parts these attributes should have.

In the parameters dialog, the Delimiter is set to comma (,), we will trim whitespace, and create a new list attribute called Address. Note that Drop Empty Parts is set to No - if part of an address is missing, dropping it would cause the other parts to end up in the wrong list element.

With the AttributeSplitter configured, the Address{} list is now available in the transformer output. Right-click (context menu) on the list name, and we can Expose Elements from the list.

List elements are numbered starting with zero (0). In the Select List Elements dialog, entering the range 0-3 will expose the four total list elements that make up the address.

With the list elements exposed and now accessible, an AttributeManager is used to rename them according to their content.

The output features now have individual address component attributes.

In this example, we have a dataset of crime incidents. The DATETIME attribute contains a string composed of date and time information, which we want to split into its component parts.

The features are routed into an AttributeSplitter. In the parameters dialog, we use a Format String to split the attribute at defined character positions. The Format String uses a #s#s#s format - integers defining the width of each part, separated by an “s” character.

After exposing all of the list elements, an AttributeManager renames them, and they are available as attributes.

Features with attributes to be split.

Features with the selected attribute value split into a list attribute.

Attribute to Split	After you connect this transformer to an input feature stream, choose an attribute from the pull-down menu.
Delimiter or Format String	If Delimiter: enter the character used as a delimiter. Special characters may be entered using the Text Editor from the drop-down menu. If Format String (fixed-width): provide a string in the format #s#s#s, where each number is the length of the substring you wish to extract.
Trim Whitespace	By default, the resulting strings have both leading and trailing (left and right) whitespace removed but you can change the setting to either left or right, or none.
List Name	Enter a name for the new list attribute.
Drop Empty Parts	Determines whether to keep empty parts that resulted from splitting. By default, all parts will be returned, whether or not they are empty. If the parameter value is set to Yes, only non-empty parts will be returned. If this parameter is set to No, splitting a,b,,,c,d,e with commas returns the following list: `_list{0}' has value `a' `_list{1}' has value `b' `_list{2}' has value `' `_list{3}' has value `' `_list{4}' has value `c' `_list{5}' has value `d' `_list{6}' has value `e' If this parameter is set to Yes, splitting a,b,,,c,d,e with commas returns the following list: `_list{0}' has value `a' `_list{1}' has value `b' `_list{2}' has value `c' `_list{3}' has value `d' `_list{4}' has value `e'

Using the Text Editor

The Text Editor provides a convenient way to construct text strings (including regular expressions) from various data sources, such as attributes, parameters, and constants, where the result is used directly inside a parameter.

Text Editor

Using the Arithmetic Editor

The Arithmetic Editor provides a convenient way to construct math expressions from various data sources, such as attributes, parameters, and feature functions, where the result is used directly inside a parameter.

Arithmetic Editor

Conditional Values

Set values depending on one or more test conditions that either pass or fail.

Parameter Condition Definition Dialog

Content

Expressions and strings can include a number of functions, characters, parameters, and more - whether entered directly in a parameter or constructed using one of the editors.

AttributeManager

StringConcatenator

StringFormatter

StringPairReplacer

StringReplacer

StringSearcher

SubstringExtractor