FME Form: 2024.1

Comparing Workspaces That Contain Custom Transformers

When you view differences between two workspaces in the Compare Workspaces tool, and at least one workspace contains a custom transformer, you may encounter the following message when you select the tab of a custom transformer on one side for comparison with the corresponding custom transformer on the other side:

There is no corresponding custom transformer, or it may have been closed when this workspace was saved.

This message can display if you select the tab of a top-level custom transformer in a workspace, or one that is nested within another custom transformer.

If the Compare Workspaces tool opens workspaces with custom transformers that were last saved with their corresponding tabs closed, you are prompted to open the tabs so they are included in the comparison. If you choose not to open them, the Compare Workspaces tool may not reflect an accurate comparison between custom transformer (or nested custom transformer) tabs. Therefore, when opening workspaces in the Compare Workspaces tool, it is always best to ensure all custom transformer tabs are open, either by responding Yes to the prompt, or saving the workspace beforehand with all tabs open.

Why Does This Message Display?

There are two primary reasons why this message may display. It is important to understand these reasons, how to investigate, and how to update your view to ensure a complete comparison between custom transformers in both workspaces.

  • The custom transformer exists only on one side. On the side with the message, the workspace may not contain a corresponding custom transformer. If the selected tab is a custom transformer nested within another transformer, then the transformer on the message side may not contain a corresponding nested transformer.
  • The custom transformer exists on both sides, but the tab is closed on one side. On the side with the message, the workspace containing the custom transformer was saved with the tab for that custom transformer (or nested custom transformer) closed prior to viewing it in the Compare Workspaces tool, and you chose not to open the tab at the prompt. As a result, the corresponding custom transformer is hidden from view.

To know which reason applies to your situation, you must investigate whether or not the workspace contains a corresponding custom transformer (or nested custom transformer). If the message appears on the right (read-only) side, you may need to open the workspace in an editable environment to determine this, either by swapping it to the left side, or opening it outside of the Compare Workspaces tool.

Tip  If a custom transformer tab is closed, it may be especially hard to determine the presence of nested custom transformers. To reopen a custom transformer tab, right-click on the custom transformer in the workspace and select Edit.

How Do I Remove This Message?

Depending on the reason, and whether the message displayed on the left (editable) or right (read-only) workspace, you can update your view in the Compare Workspaces tool to ensure it includes a complete comparison between custom transformer (and nested custom transformer) tabs:

  • The custom transformer exists only in the left (editable) workspace: There is no action required, unless you want to add the custom transformer to the right (read-only) workspace.
  • The custom transformer exists only in the right (read-only) workspace: There is no action required, unless you want to add the custom transformer to the left (editable) workspace. To do this directly in the Compare Workspaces tool, select the custom transformer component from the applicable tab on the right, and click Copy to Left.
  • The custom transformer exists on both sides, but the message displayed on the left side because the tab for the corresponding custom transformer is closed: In this case, you can open the custom transformer tab directly in the Compare Workspaces tool. (To open a closed custom transformer, right-click on it in the workspace and select Edit.) Once opened, you are able to select the custom transformer tab on either side and view any differences.
  • The custom transformer exists on both sides, but the message displayed on the right side because the tab for the corresponding custom transformer is closed: In this case, do one of the following:
    • Perform a swap. You are prompted to open the custom transformer tabs. In the prompt dialog, select Yes. Then, perform another swap to return both workspaces to their original positions.
    • Open the right-side workspace outside of the Compare Workspaces tool and save it with the custom transformer tab open. (To open a closed custom transformer, right-click on it in the workspace and select Edit.) Once saved, open both workspaces again in the Compare Workspaces tool. You will be able to select the custom transformer tab on either side and view any differences.