Edit the data load script

You write the script in the text editor of the Data load editor. Here you can make manual changes to the LOAD or SELECT statements you have generated when selecting data, and type new script.

The script, which must be written using the Qlik Sense script syntax, is color coded to make it easy to distinguish the different elements. Comments are highlighted in green, whereas Qlik Sense syntax keywords are highlighted in blue. Each script line is numbered.

There are a number of functions available in the editor to assist you in developing the load script, and they are described in this section.

Accessing syntax help for commands and functions

There are several ways to access syntax help for a Qlik Sense syntax keyword.

Accessing the help portal

You can access detailed help in the Qlik Sense help portal in two different ways.

• Click D in the toolbar to enter syntax help mode. In syntax help mode you can click on a syntax keyword (marked in blue and underlined) to access syntax help.

• Place the cursor inside or at the end of the keyword and press Ctrl+H.

Information noteYou cannot edit the script in syntax help mode.

Using the auto-complete function

If you start to type a Qlik Sense script keyword, you get an auto-complete list of matching keywords to select from. The list is narrowed down as you continue to type, and you can select from templates with suggested syntax and parameters. A tooltip displays the syntax of the function, including parameters and additional statements, as well as a link to the help portal description of the statement or function.

Inserting a prepared test script

You can insert a prepared test script that will load a set of inline data fields. You can use this to quickly create a data set for test purposes.

Do the following:

• Press Ctrl + 00.

The test script code is inserted into the script.

Indenting code

You can indent the code to increase readability.

Do the following:

1. Select one or several lines to change indentation.

2. Click À to indent the text (increase indentation) or, click à to outdent the text (decrease indentation).

Searching and replacing text

You can search and replace text throughout script sections.

Searching for text

Open the data load editor. Do the following:

1. Click F in the toolbar.

   The search drop-down dialog is displayed.

2. In the search box, type the text you want to find.

   The search results are highlighted in the current section of the script code. Also, the number of text instances found is indicated next to the section label.

3. You can browse through the results by clicking ê and ë.
4. Click F in the toolbar to close the search dialog.

Replacing text

Do the following:

1. Click F in the toolbar.

   The search drop-down dialog is displayed.

2. Type the text you want to find in the search box.
3. Type the replacement text in the replace box and click Replace.

4. Click ë to find next instance of search text and do one of the following:

   • Click Replace to replace text.
   • Click ë to find next.
5. Click F in the toolbar to close the search dialog.

Commenting in the script

You can insert comments in the script code, or deactivate parts of the script code by using comment marks. All text on a line that follows to the right of // (two forward slashes) will be considered a comment and will not be executed when the script is run.

The data load editor toolbar contains a shortcut for commenting or uncommenting code. The function works as a toggle. That is, if the selected code is commented out it will be commented, and vice versa.

Commenting

Do the following:

1. Select one or more lines of code that are not commented out, or place the cursor at the beginning of a line.
2. Click …, or press Ctrl + K.

The selected code is now commented out.

Uncommenting

Do the following:

1. Select one or more lines of code that are commented out, or place the cursor at the beginning of a commented line.
2. Click …, or press Ctrl + K.

The selected code will now be executed with the rest of the script.

Example:  

Selecting all code

You can select all code in the current script section.

Do the following:

• Press Ctrl + A.

All script code in the current section is selected.