Editing a Flash gadget

Flash gadgets display data from a selected data object file as an Adobe Flash-based image.

Dashboard designers can customize flash gadget options using the Gadget Builder—General options. For more information about general options, see Setting general gadget options, earlier in this section.

When adding or editing a flash gadget, you can change the Flash type displayed in the gadget, as shown in Figure 4-44.

Figure 4-44  Selecting a flash gadget type

Assigning data to Flash gadgets

Editing or adding an Adobe Flash gadget to a dashboard displays Gadget Builder—Data, where the developer selects data to display. A flash gadget can display any data set or data cube from a data object file.

Dashboard designers can also limit the data that appears in the gadget by using Gadget Builder—Filter to create filter conditions. For more information about filtering, see Filtering data source in gadgets, earlier in this section.

If hyperlinks exist in the data object file, they can appear in the gadget by selecting Gadget Builder—Data—Use default hyperlink.

Dashboard designers can use aggregate expressions to summarize data set values. Table 4-3 shows the aggregate expressions available in flash gadgets

Table 4-3  Aggregate expressions for Flash gadgets 

Function	Description
Average	Returns the average of the values.
Count	Returns the number of values, including duplicate values.
Distinct Count	Returns the number of values, excluding duplicate values.
First	Returns the first value among the values.
Last	Returns the last value among the values.
Max	Returns the largest value among the values.
Min	Returns the smallest value among the values.
Sum	Returns the sum of the values.

The developer assigns data to the different parts of the gadget. Each Flash gadget type has a different way of presenting data.

Linear and meter Flash gadgets support multiple values and data aggregation, as shown in Figure 4-45.

Figure 4-45  Selecting data to display as a meter or linear gauge

Bullet, cylinder, and thermometer Flash gadgets support a single value and data aggregation, as shown in Figure 4-46.

Figure 4-46  Selecting data to display as a bullet, cylinder, or thermometer

Spark line flash gadgets support a single value and selecting a second value for grouping the data, as shown in Figure 4-47.

Figure 4-47  Selecting data to display as a spark line

Formatting a bullet gadget

You can format a bullet gadget to modify its appearance on a dashboard. Figure 4-48 shows the formatting elements that you can modify.

Figure 4-48  Displaying a horizontal bullet gadget

Choose edit from the gadget menu or create a new gadget to open Gadget Builder. In Gadget Builder, select Gadget Builder—Format to see formatting options. The following formatting options are available for a bullet gadget:

n	Change the appearance of the gadget using the Flash Gadget options, as shown in Figure 4-49.

Figure 4-49  Formatting flash gadget options

The dashboard designer can change the orientation and dimensions of the flash gadget. You can customize the color of the displayed value and the font attributes used in the gadget, such as font, size and color.

n	Change the appearance of data values using the Plot and Scale options, as shown in Figure 4-50.

Figure 4-50  Formatting flash gadget data values

Dashboard designers can display plot and scale values on the gadget. Set a limit on the displayed value by setting a minimum and maximum value to the Scale. For example, if the gadget is showing scale values up to 2000 but the actual value is less than 1000, you can set the maximum value of the scale to be 1200.

n	Change the appearance of the gadget using the Region and Tick Marks options, as shown in Figure 4-51.

Figure 4-51  Formatting the region and tick marks

You can add colored regions to appear on the gadget by adding a region and assigning a start value, end value, and a color for the region.

Enabling Auto adjust tick marks displays a calculated number of ticks. Disable Auto adjust tick marks to display a fixed number of ticks.

The dashboard designer can select colors for the gadget, the font used, and the regions in the bullet gadget. For more information about selecting colors, see Using the color picker, earlier in this section.

Formatting a cylinder gadget

You can format a cylinder gadget to modify its appearance on a dashboard. Figure 4-52 shows the elements you can modify.

Figure 4-52  Displaying a cylinder gadget

Choose edit from the gadget menu or create a new gadget to open Gadget Builder. In Gadget Builder, select Gadget Builder—Format to see formatting options. The following formatting options are available for a cylinder gadget:

n	Change the appearance of the gadget using the Flash Gadget options, as shown in Figure 4-53.

Figure 4-53  Formatting flash gadget options

The dashboard designer can change the dimensions of the flash gadget. You can customize the color of the displayed value and the font attributes used in the gadget, such as font, size and color.

n	Change the appearance of data values using the Value and Scale options, as shown in Figure 4-54.

Figure 4-54  Formatting flash gadget data values

Dashboard designers can display plot and scale values on the gadget. Set a limit on the displayed value by setting a minimum and maximum value to the Scale. For example, if the gadget is showing scale values up to 2000 but the actual value is less than 1000, you can set the maximum value of the scale to be 1200.

n	Change the appearance of the gadget using the Tick Marks options, as shown in Figure 4-55.

Figure 4-55  Formatting the tick marks

Enabling Auto adjust tick marks displays a calculated number of ticks. Disable Auto adjust tick marks to display a fixed number of ticks.

The dashboard designer can select colors for the gadget and the font used in the cylinder gadget. For more information about selecting colors, see Using the color picker, earlier in this section.

Formatting a linear gauge gadget

You can format a linear gauge gadget to modify its appearance on a dashboard. Figure 4-56 shows the elements you can modify.

Figure 4-56  Displaying a linear gauge gadget

Choose edit from the gadget menu or create a new gadget to open Gadget Builder. In Gadget Builder, select Gadget Builder—Format to see formatting options. The following formatting options are available for a linear gauge gadget:

n	Change the appearance of the gadget using the Flash Gadget options, as shown in Figure 4-57.

Figure 4-57  Formatting flash gadget options

The dashboard designer can change the dimensions of the flash gadget. You can customize the font attributes used in the gadget, such as font, size and color.

n	Change the appearance of data values using the Needle and Scale options, as shown in Figure 4-58.

Figure 4-58  Formatting flash gadget data values

You can display the needles and needle values at the top or the bottom of the gadget.

Dashboard designers can display scale values on the gadget. Set a limit on the displayed value by setting a minimum and maximum value to the Scale. For example, if the gadget is showing scale values up to 2000 but the actual value is less than 1000, you can set the maximum value of the scale to be 1200.

n	Change the appearance of the gadget using the Region and Tick Marks options, as shown in Figure 4-59.

Figure 4-59  Formatting the region and tick marks

You can add colored regions to appear on the gadget by adding a region and assigning a start value, end value, and a color for the region.

Enabling Auto adjust tick marks displays a calculated number of ticks. Disable Auto adjust tick marks to display a fixed number of ticks.

The dashboard designer can select colors for the gadget, the font used, and the region in the linear gauge gadget. For more information about selecting colors, see Using the color picker, earlier in this section.

Formatting a meter gadget

You can format a meter gadget to modify its appearance on a dashboard. Figure 4-60 shows the formatting elements you can modify.

Figure 4-60  Displaying a meter gadget

Choose edit from the gadget menu or create a new gadget to open Gadget Builder. In Gadget Builder, select Gadget Builder—Format to see formatting options. The following formatting options are available for a meter gadget:

n	Change the appearance of the gadget using the Flash Gadget options, as shown in Figure 4-61.

Figure 4-61  Formatting flash gadget options

The dashboard designer can change the dimensions of the flash gadget and customize the gadget font attributes, such as font, size and color.

n	Change the appearance of data values using the Dial and Scale options, as shown in Figure 4-62.

Figure 4-62  Formatting flash gadget data values

Selecting Show dial value displays the needle values. You can display dial values above or below the meter.

Dashboard designers can display scale values on the gadget. Set a limit on the displayed value by setting a minimum and maximum value to the Scale. For example, if the gadget is showing scale values up to 2000 but the actual value is less than 1000, you can set the maximum value of the scale to be 1200.

n	Change the appearance of the gadget using the Region and Tick Marks options, as shown in Figure 4-63.

Figure 4-63  Formatting the region and tick marks

You can add colored regions to appear on the gadget by adding a region and assigning a start value, end value, and a color for the region.

Enabling Auto adjust tick marks displays a calculated number of ticks. Disable Auto adjust tick marks to display a fixed number of ticks.

The dashboard designer can select colors for the font used and the regions in the meter gadget. For more information about selecting colors, see Using the color picker, earlier in this section.

Formatting a spark line gadget

You can format a spark line gadget to modify its appearance on a dashboard. Figure 4-64 shows the formatting elements you can modify.

Figure 4-64  Displaying a spark line gadget

Choose edit from the gadget menu or create a new gadget to open Gadget Builder. In Gadget Builder, select Gadget Builder—Format to see formatting options. The following formatting options are available for a spark line gadget:

n	Change the appearance of the gadget using the Flash Gadget options, as shown in Figure 4-65.

Figure 4-65  Formatting flash gadget options

The dashboard designer can change the dimensions of the flash gadget. You can customize the font attributes used in the gadget, such as font, size and color.

n	Change the appearance of data values using the Plot and Value options, as shown in Figure 4-66.

Figure 4-66  Formatting flash gadget data values

Dashboard designers can display the open, close, high, and low plot values on the gadget. Set a limit on the displayed value by setting a minimum and maximum value in Value. For example, if the gadget is showing values up to 2000 but the actual value is less than 1000, you can set the maximum value to be 1200.

The dashboard designer can select a color for the font used in the spark line gadget. For more information about selecting colors, see Using the color picker, earlier in this section.

Formatting a thermometer gadget

You can format a thermometer gadget to modify its appearance on a dashboard. Figure 4-67 shows the formatting elements you can modify.

Figure 4-67  Displaying a thermometer gadget

Choose edit from the gadget menu or create a new gadget to open Gadget Builder. In Gadget Builder, select Gadget Builder—Format to see formatting options. The following formatting options are available for a thermometer gadget:

n	Change the appearance of the gadget using the Flash Gadget options, as shown in Figure 4-68.

Figure 4-68  Formatting flash gadget options

The dashboard designer can change the dimensions of the flash gadget. You can customize the color of the displayed value and the font attributes used in the gadget, such as font, size and color.

n	Change the appearance of data values using the Value and Scale options, as shown in Figure 4-69.

Figure 4-69  Formatting flash gadget data values

Dashboard designers can display value and scale values on the gadget. Set a limit on the displayed value by setting the Scale minimum and maximum value. For example, if the gadget is showing scale values up to 2000 but the actual value is less than 1000, you can set the maximum value of the scale to be 1200.

n	Change the appearance of the gadget using the Tick Marks options, as shown in Figure 4-70.

Figure 4-70  Formatting the region and tick marks

Enabling Auto adjust tick marks displays a calculated number of ticks. Disable Auto adjust tick marks to display a fixed number of ticks.

The dashboard designer can select colors for the gadget and the font used in the thermometer gadget. For more information about selecting colors, see Using the color picker, earlier in this section.

(c) Copyright Actuate Corporation 2011