AttributeExposer

Exposes attributes so they can be accessed by downstream transformers and writers.

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Typical Uses

  • Exposing attributes that a workspace is not aware of, such as those created by a SchemaMapper
  • Exposing normally unexposed fme_ and format-specific attributes for use in the workspace
  • Exposing attributes in a dynamic translation where source attributes may vary

How does it work?

The AttributeExposer makes unexposed attributes visible in FME Workbench so they can be used elsewhere in the workspace. This transformer is useful if you know features have an attribute, but that attribute is not currently showing as available in your workspace. For example:

  • FME Attributes (fme_) and more obscure format-specific attributes that are not automatically shown in FME Workbench.
  • Transformers, such as the SchemaMapper, that dynamically add attributes onto features which FME Workbench is not aware of.

You may enter the attribute names manually, import attributes from any supported source dataset, or import from upstream feature caches. Known attributes (including fme_ and format-specific attributes that are not currently exposed) can be selected from the drop-down menu.

This transformer only exposes the attribute in FME Workbench - it does not ensure that valid attribute names are being exposed. The input features are not modified in any way.

Once the attributes are exposed, they can be accessed elsewhere in the workspace.

Data Type may be optionally set or changed.

Cached Values, Data-Aware Attribute Names and Data Types

If Feature Caching is enabled, valid attribute names from upstream features are shown for attribute selection.

Names and data types may be imported from upstream caches (Import > From Feature Cache...).

Data types may be updated by importing Type only (Import > Types from Feature Cache...).

Examples

Usage Notes

  • Expose attributes fme_basename and fme_dataset in the reader feature type or the FeatureReader transformer. These attributes are not read unless they are exposed in this manner.

Configuration

Input Ports

Output Ports

Parameters

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.

Dialog Options - Tables

Transformers with table-style parameters have additional tools for populating and manipulating values.

Reference

Processing Behavior

Feature-Based

Feature Holding

No

Dependencies None
Aliases  
History  

FME Community

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Search for all results about the AttributeExposer on the FME Community.

 

Examples may contain information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Vancouver and/or the Open Government Licence – Canada.