Spatial Definition

In formats that support reading or controlling the writing of spatial data, a Spatial Definition table is visible in the User Attributes tab of a feature type.

This table allows you to

Identify when there is spatial data present (including the name of the spatial column).
Control whether or not spatial data is written and specify geometry type, depending on the format.
See the name of the spatial column and when spatial data is written.

Note The Spatial Definition table on a reader feature type is read-only, and not editable, even if Allow Reader Feature Type Editing is checked.

The information contained within the Spatial Definition table includes:

Column Name	Visibility	Description
Name	Always present	The values displayed in this column correspond to what is displayed on the expanded workspace canvas object and in the Schema Preview window: <spatial_column_name> – source feature type's spatial column name, if available <spatial> for formats that do not support named spatial columns <multiple> if multiple spatial columns exist in the feature type
Geometry Type	Always present	Displays the allowed geometry of the feature type. If the format does not support a specific geometry, <all> displays. On writer feature types, you can set Geometry Type if Attribute Definition is Manual or Automatic. To set Geometry Type to the geometry of the first feature that enters the reader, specify <from first feature>. On writers that support multiple geometry types, you can add (+) multiple types as required.
Spatial Type	Optionally shown	If the format's schema feature has information for spatial type, this column displays. Where applicable, this value can be set on the writer feature type.

Column Name

Visibility

Description

Name

Always present

The values displayed in this column correspond to what is displayed on the expanded workspace canvas object and in the Schema Preview window:

<spatial_column_name> – source feature type's spatial column name, if available
<spatial> for formats that do not support named spatial columns
<multiple> if multiple spatial columns exist in the feature type

Geometry Type

Always present

Displays the allowed geometry of the feature type. If the format does not support a specific geometry, <all> displays.

On writer feature types, you can set Geometry Type if Attribute Definition is Manual or Automatic. To set Geometry Type to the geometry of the first feature that enters the reader, specify <from first feature>.

On writers that support multiple geometry types, you can add (+) multiple types as required.

Spatial Type

Optionally shown

If the format's schema feature has information for spatial type, this column displays. Where applicable, this value can be set on the writer feature type.

Updating Feature Types

When FME detects an update to the feature type, the Feature Type dialog displays an information banner. You can update the dialog to refresh the table content.