In version 5.9, we will unify (converge) tables and charts. Tables in workflows will get a view selector to switch between representations of data in the table: datagrid / charts / cross-tables. The charts that appear in the selector are the same charts that can be seen in Analysis View. Except they are based on the output of the last action in the table. To remind you, in Analysis View, charts are based on the output of the selected action.
Why are we doing this?
Before v5.9, charts were special workflow objects that didn't have actions. But also, charts were in Analysis View, and those charts had no relationship to the charts that were workflow objects. That's an unnecessary complication. So, the convergence will simplify things - charts in workflows will be the same charts you see in Analysis View.
Besides that, charts frequently require additional calculations that are only necessary to prepare data for visualization. Currently, that requires creating separate derived tables that are only used for charts and that clutters the workspace. The convergence will remove the need for such derived tables.
In the future, we will improve the data analysis capabilities of EasyMorph, and the convergence is an important preparation step for that.
How does it look to you? Post your comments below.
Could you keep displaying the transformations toolbar in chart/cross table view. Even if we can't change any transformation when display mode is chart, it allows to keep a clear overview of the workflow.
I'd be reluctant to keep the action bar above the charts as it would eat from the already small chart plot area. However, the actions will remain visible in the sidebar (that will get a new tab "Charts").
Will these changes allow us to export cross tables to an Excel output? I believe this can't currently be done and I think it would be awesome if it could.
Yes I think this management makes it clearer. I would personnaly choose a more explicit icon related to data viz, better than the down arrow you show. Other big necessary improvement : the possibility to add several measures to a cross table, not just one.
The changes are only visual and don't affect the way actions work, including "Export to Excel".
Cross-tables are basically "Pivot" actions under the hood. You can already do a pivot, and then export the result to an Excel spreadsheet.
Also, this year, we plan to start working on much improved export to Excel. The possibility of creating native pivot tables in spreadsheets looks interesting. We will see what it will take.
