Google Sheets v4 Writer Feature Type Parameters

To access feature type parameters, click the gear icon on a feature type in the workspace. This opens the Feature Type Parameter Editor.

Tip  To always display the editor in FME Workbench, you can select View > Windows > Parameter Editor.

General

All feature types share similar General parameters, which may include Feature Type Name, Reader or Writer information, and Geometry.

In most Writer Feature Type parameter dialogs, you can also control Dynamic Schema Definitions. Some database formats accept Table or Index Qualifier prefixes on the output table feature type.

Important  These parameters apply only to a selected feature type, not to the entire writer. If a feature type parameter listed here conflicts with a writer-level parameter, then the writer parameter will be ignored and this feature type parameter will be used.

Dataset

This specifies the writing behavior. All operations start from the context of the cell range bounded by Field Names Row / Start Row, Start Column, and End Column.

  • Insert – Based on the bounded cell range, the server scans for a table-like arrangement of cells below it, and appends data starting at the first blank row. The worksheet’s extents are expanded as needed. Data following the first blank row may be overwritten based on the Insert Method option.
  • Update – Update the values in a given row. This operation requires that the attribute specified by the Row Number Attribute parameter be supplied on all features and be within the worksheet’s extents. Null attribute values indicate that the existing server-side value should be preserved.
  • Delete – The cell range for each feature is cleared of its values. The row itself is not deleted, and any formatting defined in the Google Sheets web interface is preserved. This operation requires that the attribute specified by the Row Number Attribute parameter be supplied on all features and be within the worksheet’s extents.
  • fme_db_operation – For each feature, obtain the feature operation from the fme_db_operation attribute, which must be set to one of INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE. Consecutive features with the same fme_db_operation value are batched into a single API call and submitted to the server when a subsequent feature has a different fme_db_operation. For performance, and to preserve API quota, consider grouping features by fme_db_operation when in this mode.

When the Feature Operation is Insert, Update, or Delete, all changes are accumulated and submitted to the server in a single request per worksheet at the end of the translation.

Specify the behavior upon receiving the first feature for a feature type:

  • Use Existing: If the feature type does not correspond to an existing worksheet, an error is logged.
  • Create If Needed: If the feature type does not correspond to an existing worksheet, a new worksheet is added to the spreadsheet.
  • Drop and Create: If the feature type corresponds to an existing worksheet, the worksheet is deleted and replaced with a new worksheet. Otherwise, the worksheet is created.
  • Truncate Existing: If the feature type corresponds to an existing worksheet, a Clear (delete) operation is performed on the extent of the worksheet. Otherwise, an error is logged.

Row Selection

Allows the use of a different attribute for the purpose of specifying the row number in feature operations.

Default: googlesheets_row_number

Schema Generation

Field Names Row

This optional parameter indicates the row number that contains the field names.

If not provided, then field names are column letters from Start Column up to End Column.

Start Column

The column from which to start mapping field names to user attributes.

Value: Must be a value between A and ZZZ.

End Column

The column at which to stop mapping field names to user attributes. The writer will write up to and including this column.

Value: Must be a value between A and ZZZ.

Sheet Options

Start Row

The row number of the first feature. The value must be greater than Field Names Row.

Interpret Values As

This specifies how the server should interpret attribute values.

  • User-Entered – Values are parsed as if they were entered through the Google Sheets web interface. Use this option when working with formulas.
  • Raw – Values are stored as-is.

Insert Method

This parameter is applicable only when Feature Operation is set to Insert.

  • Insert Rows – New rows are always inserted at the end of the detected table.
  • Overwrite – Existing cell values following the end of the detected table may be overwritten.