Signals Inventa: Managing Tags in Global Search using Spotfire

Keywords: Signals Inventa, Spotfire, Global Search, Tags, Data Management, Assay Data, Table Embedding, Comments/Tags Attribute, ChemCharts Editable Tables.

Issue Description: Difficulty Preserving Tags

Users of Signals Inventa Global Search, powered by Spotfire, often encounter challenges when it comes to preserving tags assigned to data rows. These tags tend to disappear upon rerunning global search queries or reopening files containing downloaded data. This issue can hinder effective data organization and analysis within Spotfire.

Solution:

1. Embedding GS Tables:

• Users can embed the Global Search (GS) table to preserve tags. However, this approach comes with trade-offs:
  • Advantages:
    • Tags are retained.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Sacrifices automatic updates.
    • Tags may be removed upon table refresh.

2. Utilizing Comments/Tags Attribute:

• Create a “comments/tags” attribute in the SDF (Spotfire Data File) information design.
• This attribute allows users to:
  • Preserve tags.
  • Retrieve tags using the Publish Measurements app.
• Ensures effective tag management within Inventa.

Alternative Method from Inventa 3.4: ChemCharts Editable Tables

• If embedding tables and adding a new attribute to Inventa is not feasible, consider this workaround:
  • Leverage ChemCharts Editable Tables:
    • Allows users to add comments/tags directly to tables.
    • Effectively preserves tags even after reopening or rerunning queries.
    • Important Note:
      • Does not write back to SDF.
      • Should not be considered the primary source of truth.

Steps for Using ChemCharts Editable Tables:

1. Download Your Data from Global Search
2. Open a ChemCharts Table Visualization:
   • Choose the table of interest.
3. Edit Columns:
   • Right-click on a column and select “Edit” (you may need to assign key columns first).
4. Enable Editing:
   • Once editing is enabled (indicated by a blue border), right-click on the table again.
   • Select Edit > Add Column.
5. Add Comments/Tags:
   • Click in a cell to add on-the-fly comments or tags.
6. Save Your DXP (Spotfire Document)
7. Closing and Reopening:
   • If you close and then reopen the DXP, your comments will persist.

Related Article:
https://support.revvitysignals.com/hc/en-us/articles/4408235721748-Tags-are-lost-after-data-table-refresh-in-TIBCO-Spotfire