Typical Uses
- Cleaning up features with small numbers of unnecessary attribute
- Improving performance by removing unneeded attributes
How does it work?
Once connected to input features, the AttributeRemover provides pick lists (one for attributes and one for list attributes) for you to choose which specific attributes to remove. All other attributes are kept, and the modified features are output.
Examples
Example: Removing a small number of selected attributes
In this example, several attributes are selected from the pick list for removal.
The Attributes to Remove parameter is populated with those choices.
As the features exit the transformer, the selected attributes have been removed:
Usage Notes
- Consider using the AttributeManager instead
- Use the BulkAttributeRemover to remove all attributes that match a pattern.
- Use the AttributeKeeper to keep selected individual attributes on a feature.
- Removing attributes can improve FME Workbench performance, making translations run more efficiently and the FME Workbench interface respond more quickly.
Configuration
Input Ports
Input
The feature type that contains the attributes you want to remove.
Output Ports
Output
All features are output through this port, with the selected attributes removed.
Parameters
General
|
Attributes to Remove |
Click the browse button to display the list dialog. Select the attributes that you want to remove from the feature. The unchecked attributes will be retained. |
|
Lists to Remove |
After you connect this transformer, click the Browse button and select the lists to remove. Note that if you select to remove a list, your selection will include any list attributes or nested lists. For example, if you select to remove a list called list{} then list{}.attr or list{}.sublist{} will also be removed. |
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. | |
|
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
|
Enabled once you have clicked on a row item. Choices include:
|
|
Cut, Copy, and Paste
|
Enabled once you have clicked on a row item. Choices include:
Cut, copy, and paste may be used within a transformer, or between transformers. |
|
Filter
|
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. |
|
Import
|
Import populates the table with a set of new attributes read from a dataset. Specific application varies between transformers. |
|
Reset/Refresh
|
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.
Reference
|
Processing Behavior |
|
|
Feature Holding |
No |
| Dependencies | None |
| Aliases | ListRemover |
| History |
FME Community
The FME Community is the place for demos, how-tos, articles, FAQs, and more. Get answers to your questions, learn from other users, and suggest, vote, and comment on new features.
Search for all results about the AttributeRemover on the FME Community.
Examples may contain information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Vancouver and/or the Open Government Licence – Canada.