The New Write Table

[Jennell_Yorkman]

The write table was introduced to Qlik Cloud Analytics last month so in this blog post, I will review how it works and how it can be added to an app. The write table looks like the straight table but editable columns can be added to it to update or add data. The updated/added data is visible by other users of the app provided they have the correct permissions. Read more on write table permissions here. Something else to note, if using a touch screen device, is you will have to disable touch screen mode for the write table to work. Looking at the write table for the first time, I found it intuitive and easy to use. Let’s create a write table with some editable columns to see how easy it is.

The write table object can be added to a sheet like any other visualization. Once it is added, columns can be added the same way dimensions and measures are added to a straight table. Below is a small write table with course information including the course ID, course name, instructor and location.

To add an editable column from the properties panel, click on the plus sign (+) and select Editable column.

The new editable column will be added. In the properties for the column, the title for the column can be modified and from the show content drop down, manual user input or single selection can be selected. Manual user input will create a free form column that the user can type into. The single selection option will allow me to create a drop-down list of options that the user can choose from.

I will change the title to Course Level and for show content I will select single selection and add three list items by typing the list item and then clicking on the plus sign to add it to the list. The list items will be displayed in the drop-down in the order they are added but can be rearranged by hovering over the list-item and dragging it to the desired position. List-items can also be deleted by hovering over it and clicking the delete icon that appears to the left.

When you come out of edit mode, the message below will appear for the editable column prompting you to define a set of primary keys.

Once you click Define, you will see the pop-up below where you can select the column(s) that will be used for the unique primary key. This is necessary to save and map the data entered in the editable column to the data model. I will select the CourseID column as the primary key.

 Once this is done, I will see the Course Level column with the drop-down of list-items I added.

Let’s add one more editable column that takes manual user unput and name it Notes.

As I add data or update the editable columns, the cells will be flagged orange to indicate that my edits have not been saved. Once I save the table, they will be flagged green and any new values entered are visible to other users. A cell will be blue if another user is currently making changes to the row, thus locking it. Changes are saved for 90 days in a change store (temporary storage location) provided by Qlik. After 90 days, the data will be deleted. It is also important to note that if an editable column is deleted, the data will be lost. This is also the case if the primary key used for the editable column is removed.

It is possible to retrieve the changes from a change store via the change-stores API or an automation. Using the REST connection and the change-store API, the changes made in a write table can be retrieved and stored in a QVD (if needed for more than 90 days) or added to the data model for use in other analytics. Qlik Automate can also be used to retrieve data from the change-store using the List Current Changes From Change Store block or the List Change Store History block. From there the data can be stored permanently in an external system for later use or used in the automation for another process. Qlik Help offers steps for retrieving data from a change-store.

The write table can make it easy for users to add updates, feedback and important information that may not be available in the data model. Not only can this be done quickly, but it can be immediately visible to other colleagues. Learn more about the write table in the Product Innovation blog along with links to videos and write table FAQs.

Thanks,

Jennell