autonumber - script function

This script function returns a unique integer value for each distinct evaluated value of expression encountered during the script execution. This function can be used e.g. for creating a compact memory representation of a complex key.

Syntax:  

autonumber(expression[ , AutoID])

Arguments:  

Example: Creating a composite key

In this example we create a composite key using the autonumber function to conserve memory. The example is brief for demonstration purpose, but would be meaningful with a table containing a large number of rows.

The source data is loaded using inline data. Then we add a preceding load, which creates a composite key from the Region, Year and Month fields.

 

The resulting table looks like this:

In this example you can refer to the RYMkey, for example 1, instead of the string 'North2014May' if you need to link to another table.

Now we load a source table of costs in a similar way. The Region, Year and Month fields are excluded in the preceding load to avoid creating a synthetic key, we are already creating a composite key with the autonumber function, linking the tables.

 

Now we can add a table visualization to a sheet, and add the Region, Year and Month fields, as well as Sum measures for the sales and the costs. The table will look like this: