Find Unique Values with TERR

• Would you like to create a new table based on unique values from a different table?
• Would you like to learn how to reference a column in a TERR data function?
• Are you combining data from different sources and having problems with duplication?

My Project

I am currently working on a project that joins oil and gas header data from three different data sources (via an insert rows operation). Then, that data gets put onto a map. The user marks the map, which then executes an on-demand query to pull in the production data for only marked wells. With this architecture, the file opens quickly and only brings in production data for the wells needed. However, it has a flaw. Wells can be on the map three times (and in the on-demand query three times). That’s inefficient. Instead, I worked up a solution to find unique values with TERR.

Here’s a pictorial look at the architecture. (Note: Originally, more was happening in the starter header. It could be eliminated).

The Solution

I can still use my existing architecture and improve the project by using a TERR data function to create a list of unique APIs from the master header table. Then, I can populate the map from this new, smaller table. Users will still mark the map, but when they do a more efficient query is generated.

All it takes is a simple line of code using the unique function. Now, if you’ve never created a TERR data function before, I suggest this read on TERR basics. I’m not going to show every TERR screen, but if you understand the basics explained in that post, you’ll be fine. Here is what the code looks like.

TERR Code

uniqueAPI10 <- unique(c(masterheader$API10))

unqiueAPI10 and masterheader and both objects and parameters. They are objects I created, and I must create parameters to map them to the data in Spotfire. Unique is a R/TERR function.

After clicking Run, Spotfire will ask you to map the parameters to the data. I mapped the masterheader object to my master header table, only bringing in the API10 column because that’s all I needed. Then, I told it to create a new table called uniqueAPI10. Now, I have a new table with only the unique API10 values.

This is a simple example, but it shows you how to find unique values with TERR.

Spotfire Version

Content created with Spotfire 7.12.

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