Issue

A calculated column displayed in an Insights (Explore Data) view is present in the exported file. However, the column displays blank values when the view is exported using the Export to Excel feature.

Symptoms and Impact

Calculated column values display correctly on the UI, however, in the exported Excel file, the column is present with blank cell values, impacting data analysis and reporting.

Steps to reproduce

1. Open a Constellation-based application that includes an Insights view.
2. Configure the view to include a property whose value is calculated by a data page response data transform rather than returned directly by the report definition.
3. Load the view such that the calculated column displays a value.
4. Select Export to Excel from the view's Action menu.
5. Open the exported Excel file. Observe that the calculated column is present, but its values are blank, although the column is displayed correctly in the view.

Root Cause

The calculated column value generates during response processing after the initial data retrieval. However, the Export to Excel feature captures only the initial dataset from the report definition before this post-processing is applied. This is a known limitation of the out-of-the-box Insights Export to Excel functionality.

Solution

Follow either of the following approaches:

• Build a custom export using the out-of-the-box pxGenerateExcelFile activity such that the exported data includes the calculated value.
• Where the calculation can be expressed in the report definition, return the value as part of the initial dataset such that the standard export includes it.

References

Insights

Managing Insights