Adds a numeric attribute to a feature and assigns a value. Each subsequent feature passing through the transformer receives an incremented value – in other words, the Counter is counting the features.
This transformer can be useful for assigning a unique, numeric ID number to a set of features, for counting the number of features, or for creating a basic histogram for values of a given attribute.
Transformer Parameters
Transformer Name
This parameter is common to most transformers, and you do not always have to edit it to control workspace output. See the Usage Notes below for information on why you might want to edit this parameter for the Counter.
Count Output Attribute
The name of the attribute that will contain the results, and will appear in the list of Output port attributes.
Counter Name
Create separate sequences of numbers to be assigned, either by placing several Counter transformers with each having a different counter name, or by choosing an attribute whose value will be used as the counter name as each feature passes through. (In effect, using an attribute to supply the Counter name is like having a Group By option for the Counter.)
Count Start
Use this parameter to specify a starting value for the Counter. This is useful for applications where ranges of values have meanings in the problem domain. See Usage Notes below.
Count Scope
Specify whether the scope of this counter is Global (throughout the entire workspace) or Local (for this transformer only). Global counters with the same Counter Name will share the same counting sequence, while Local counters will each have a unique counting sequence.
Usage Notes
Using Multiple Counters
When multiple Counters have the same name, they produce a single count. When multiple Counters have different names, each Counter produces a unique count starting at 1 (or the number determined by the Count Start parameter). You can rename any Counter by editing the Transformer Name parameter.
For example, there are two workspaces each with two Counters. Ten features passed through each Counter would result in the following:
Workspace 1
Counter Name: Counter1 - features numbered 1 - 10
Counter Name: Counter2 - features numbered 1 - 10
Workspace 2
Counter Name: Counter - features numbered 1 - 10
Counter Name: Counter - features numbered 11 - 20
You can use this feature as needed to produce different results.
Editing Transformer Parameters
Using a set of menu options, transformer parameters can be assigned by referencing other elements in the workspace. More advanced functions, such as an advanced editor and an arithmetic editor, are also available in some transformers. To access a menu of these options, click 
beside the applicable parameter. For more information, see Transformer Parameter Menu Options.
Defining Values
There are several ways to define a value for use in a Transformer. The simplest is to simply type in a value or string, which can include functions of various types such as attribute references, math and string functions, and workspace parameters. There are a number of tools and shortcuts that can assist in constructing values, generally available from the drop-down context menu adjacent to the value field.
How to Set Parameter Values
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.
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.
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.
When setting values - whether entered directly in a parameter or constructed using one of the editors - strings and expressions containing String, Math, Date/Time or FME Feature Functions will have those functions evaluated. Therefore, the names of these functions (in the form @<function_name>) should not be used as literal string values.
Content Types
| These functions manipulate and format strings. | |
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Special Characters |
A set of control characters is available in the Text Editor. |
| Math functions are available in both editors. | |
| Date/Time Functions | Date and time functions are available in the Text Editor. |
| These operators are available in the Arithmetic Editor. | |
| These return primarily feature-specific values. | |
| FME and workspace-specific parameters may be used. | |
| Creating and Modifying User Parameters | Create your own editable parameters. |
Dialog Options - Tables
Transformers with table-style parameters have additional tools for populating and manipulating values.
Table Tools
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Row Reordering
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Enabled once you have clicked on a row item. Choices include:
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Cut, Copy, and Paste
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Enabled once you have clicked on a row item. Choices include:
Cut, copy, and paste may be used within a transformer, or between transformers. |
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Filter
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Start typing a string, and the matrix will only display rows matching those characters. Searches all columns. This only affects the display of attributes within the transformer - it does not alter which attributes are output. |
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Import
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Import populates the table with a set of new attributes read from a dataset. Specific application varies between transformers. |
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Reset/Refresh
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Generally resets the table to its initial state, and may provide additional options to remove invalid entries. Behavior varies between transformers. |
Note: Not all tools are available in all transformers.
FME Community
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