AttributeTrimmer

In this example, we start with a CSV file containing animal names and counts. Some animal names have varying numbers of extra spaces that need to be removed.

All features from the CSV file are routed into an AttributeTrimmer.

In the Parameters dialog, we select the attribute Animal for trimming, choose Trim Type Both to trim both the left and right-hand sides of the values, and leave the Trim Characters field blank - indicating we want white space removal.

The resulting output has clean Animal values, with spaces removed.

In this example, we start with a list of codes. They are all prefixed with the string UID-, and we wish to remove that prefix from the values.

The features are routed into an AttributeTrimmer with the intention of removing the prefix.

In the Parameters dialog, we select Trim Type as Left (the location of the prefix), and enter the prefix string UID- as the Trim Characters.

In the output file, the prefixes have been removed - but unfortunately, some additional characters have been trimmed as well. Because the AttributeTrimmer is not looking for a specific pattern of characters, if the first character(s) to the right of the prefix match any characters in the Trim Characters string, they will be removed as well.

As highlighted in the CorrectResults list, some of the initial characters beyond the prefix matched the Trim Characters.

A better choice to perform this task would be the StringReplacer, which will look for the exact pattern of the prefix.

Features with attributes you wish to trim.

Features with the selected attribute(s) trimmed according to your parameter selections, and all other attributes unmodified.

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.

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.

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

String Functions	These functions manipulate and format strings.
Special Characters	A set of control characters is available in the Text Editor.
Math Functions	Math functions are available in both editors.
Date/Time Functions	Date and time functions are available in the Text Editor.
Math Operators	These operators are available in the Arithmetic Editor.
FME Feature Functions	These return primarily feature-specific values.
FME Parameters	FME and workspace-specific parameters may be used.
Creating and Modifying User Parameters	Create your own editable parameters.

Table Tools

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

Note: Not all tools are available in all transformers.