topic Re: How can I remove Expressions in QlikView

How can I remove Expressions

Tue, 11 Feb 2014 22:08:05 GMT

When I display the Expressions Overview, I see a number of expressions that have no associated sheet or object id, or are associated with objects that are no longer used.

How can I remove them? There seem to be provisions for editing these expressions but not to delete them.

Thanks.

Re: How can I remove Expressions

chiru_thota — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 23:34:15 GMT

Can you please add a screen shot of Expressions overview which will show expressions with out associating to object ID ?

Because it is weird behavior and I did not see it before.Expressions should be removed when we delete object.

Thanks,

Chiru

Re: How can I remove Expressions

Tue, 11 Feb 2014 23:41:13 GMT

Hey Todd,

Unfortunately you will have to go to each of those objects and delete them. There can't be an expression without an object ID.

If you press Ctrl+Shift+S it will show all the hidden objects and sheets. You can then look at the object ID corresponding to the expression you would like to delete, then go to that object and delete it.

Thanks

Re: How can I remove Expressions

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 15:45:42 GMT

Ajay – thank you for the prompt response.

Below are two screen shots showing different sections of the Expression Overview showing this problem.

While exploring this issue, I found another issue –the Expression Overview seems to be WRONG in the display! More on this below.

The first screen shows some Expressions associated with Sheets, but no ObjectID. This may be OK since they are show conditions.

The second screen shot below shows some items with no Sheet Name:

I understand your statement that the expression will only be deleted when the object is deleted, but this is VERY difficult because I have no way of locating the objects easily, even when I have a Sheet Name/ID. I have to first close the Expression Overview and search manually for the item and cross-check, etc. for each one.

Now for the new issue – the Expression Overview is WRONG in reporting on some expressions. As an example, see below:

When I Edit the selected line above, I see:

Note the clear indication that there is a syntax error in the if expression.

However, when I go the chart directly, and look at this expression, I see correct syntax – and the chart behaves properly:

Todd Tieger

Senior R&D Architect

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Tel: 609-806-7259

ttieger@deloitte.com<mailto:ttieger@deloitte.com>

www.deloitte.com<http://www.deloitte.com/>

This message (including any attachments) contains confidential information intended for a specific individual and purpose, and is protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, you should delete this message and any disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message, or the taking of any action based on it, by you is strictly prohibited.

v.E.1

Re: How can I remove Expressions

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 16:07:46 GMT

Todd,

The "wrong" expressions - expression overview adds "=" at the beginning, hence it shows like "==" if the expression itself has one "=" already.

Expressions without sheet and object - it is usually variables' expressions.

Expressions with object id and no sheet - I assume it is linked objects which exists on multiple sheets.

Expression by itself is not an object, and can be deleted only where it was created.

Regards,

Michael

Re: How can I remove Expressions

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 16:26:28 GMT

Michael – I have to say that your answers are not satisfactory – you seem to have spent little time or thought on them, as they are incorrect in large part. Please see my comments inline below.

Todd Tieger

Senior R&D Architect

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Tel: 609-806-7259

ttieger@deloitte.com<mailto:ttieger@deloitte.com>

www.deloitte.com<http://www.deloitte.com/>

v.E.1

Re: How can I remove Expressions

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 17:17:26 GMT

Todd, maybe I've missed something - but I don't see any inline comments. Maybe got moderated(?)

Re: How can I remove Expressions

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 17:20:29 GMT

Here it is as an email attachment.

Todd Tieger

Senior R&D Architect

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Tel: 609-806-7259

ttieger@deloitte.com<mailto:ttieger@deloitte.com>

www.deloitte.com<http://www.deloitte.com/>

v.E.1

Re: How can I remove Expressions

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 20:34:18 GMT

Todd, this is all I see, no attachments:

Can you type tour notes directly, or attach as you did with the screenshots earlier?

Re: How can I remove Expressions

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 20:38:30 GMT

OK – I guess you mean type it in this area as opposed to the area below:

Todd,

The "wrong" expressions - expression overview adds "=" at the beginning, hence it shows like "==" if the expression itself has one "=" already.

Why would it do this? It is completely misleading to the user. It is also not done consistently – many of the expressions show correctly.

I consider this a major bug in the product because users might take the faulty information and then edit the expression inappropriately causing further problems.

Expressions without sheet and object - it is usually variables' expressions. What is a “variable expression”? These items are not variable definitions – variable values do display properly in the Variable Overview window, as values for the variable.

Expressions with object id and no sheet - I assume it is linked objects which exists on multiple sheets. Your ‘assumption’ is wrong – these are not linked objects.

Expression by itself is not an object, and can be deleted only where it was created. Understood.

Todd Tieger

Senior R&D Architect

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Tel: 609-806-7259

ttieger@deloitte.com<mailto:ttieger@deloitte.com>

www.deloitte.com<http://www.deloitte.com/>

v.E.1

Re: How can I remove Expressions

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 21:10:40 GMT

Much better

As I understand, the "Expression Overview" is not a major or even minor functionality in QlikView - it is just a more or less helpful utility, and rather recent at that. I understand your desire for it to be perfect. I don't mind, trust me. But now it is what it is.

As for your comments:

The "wrong" expressions - expression overview adds "=" at the beginning, hence it shows like "==" if the expression itself has one "=" already.

Why would it do this? It is completely misleading to the user. It is also not done consistently – many of the expressions show correctly.

There are no good answers to the questions of "why" type. This is how it works. If you have a chart expression sum(Amount), it is shown in the "Expression Overview" as "=sum(Amount)". But you can use "=sum(Amount)" in chart as well, and it works the same way, but in the "Expression Overview", you'll see "==sum(Amount)" and as incorrect of course. Misleading - I don't disagree with you, but this is what it shows.

I consider this a major bug in the product because users might take the faulty information and then edit the expression inappropriately causing further problems.

Maybe, but it hard to argue that there could be a major bug in a minor area. In any case, I don't mind it to be fix, try to report it to QlikTech support.

Expressions without sheet and object - it is usually variables' expressions. What is a “variable expression”? These items are not variable definitions – variable values do display properly in the Variable Overview window, as values for the variable.

Believe it or not, when I have a variable containing expression (that is, variable definition starts with "="), it is shown in the "Expression Overview" exactly this way - no sheet, no object ID. Maybe there are other situations, I hope you'll tell us when you figure out.

Expressions with object id and no sheet - I assume it is linked objects which exists on multiple sheets. Your ‘assumption’ is wrong – these are not linked objects.

I wasn't sure but tested this later. So, my assumption is correct. Maybe there are other cases, you'll have to figure out as well.

In general, I perfectly understand you frustration with this utility. Something to get used to, or to submit ideas and bugs to QlikTech.

If I ever need to go through the exercise of the expression cleanup, here what I'd do:

Open two instances of QV Desktop, with the same application. Open "Expression Overview" in one instance, and perform cleanup in another. Not perfect again, but at least don't need to close "Expression Overview" every time. Especially if you have a ton of expressions and it takes forever to open.

Good luck,

Michael