Dynamic images allow you to include images on pages based on data results.
With dynamic images, a different image will be shown depending on context or results in the data (such as parameters or values from crosstab queries).
Setting up dynamic images requires the user to select or create an image repository (which serves as a collection of images to dynamically pick from) and an expression (which returns a specific value, based on page context or query data). The value returned by the expression is used to look up a specific image in the repository.
Prior to working with dynamic images, a crosstab is required in Query.
To access dynamic images, select the last icon in the left sidebar menu in Compose - Advanced Visuals.
Click on dynamic image from the menu on the left and drag it to the page.
The page will default to Design Mode.
There are 2 required steps to setting up a dynamic image.
1) Selecting an image repository
2) Linking the selected image repository to the data by using an expression
Both are accessible from the dynamic image menu bar.
Start with the Images icon to select the repository to use.
Then, link the image repository by using the EXPR option (expression editor).
Selecting an Image Repository
After clicking the icon next to Images on the menu bar, the Image Repository screen will open.
This is where an image gallery/library to use with the page is selected.
On the left side, there are two sections:
System Repositories and Users' Repositories
One repository needs to be selected to be used for Dynamic Images.
System Repositories
System repositories are pre-loaded. The available content will vary per user. It is based on the client that the user belongs to.
System repositories are not editable.
The repository preview on the right displays the available images within the selected repository.
A thumbnail, filename, and tag values (more details on tags later) are included per image.
When hovering over a thumbnail image, a larger preview is displayed.
Note: The thumbnail images in the preview pane on the right are not individually selectable.
An entire repository needs to be selected to use with dynamic images.
In addition to the system repositories, users can create their own repositories for dynamic images.
Custom User Repositories
There are 2 ways to create custom repositories:
1) by duplicating an existing system repository
2) by adding a new repository where users can browse in their own images.
To duplicate a system repository, expand the menu options located to the right of the name of the specific system repository and select the Duplicate option.
The duplicated repository will appear under the User's Repositories section.
All user repositories are editable.
Click the edit button in the upper right corner to make changes to the repository.
Editing options include:
1) Renaming the repository
2) Adding additional images
3) Deleting existing images from the repository
4) Adding more tags to each image
These tags are used to match the image to the data results.
The tags and matching of dynamic images are case-sensitive.
When assigning new tags, each label needs to be unique within the repository.
If it is not unique, a notification will tell the user that the tag already exists.
5) Setting a “default” image (see below for more information)
6) Setting a “no-value” image (see below for more information)
Users can specify one of the images in the repository as the default image.
If an expression returns a valid value, but no image matches that value, the image assigned as the default image will be displayed.
In addition to a default image, users can specify one of the images in the repository as the no-value image.
If an expression returns an invalid value, the image assigned as the no value image will be displayed.
If images are not assigned as the default or no-value, the system's pre-assigned images will be used instead.
A new, custom repository can also be created by clicking +Add New under the User Repositories listing.
The New Repository window allows users to upload their own images and to assign a name to the repository.
When completed, this repository will appear under the User Repositories listing.
Note: After selecting a repository and making the necessary edits, it is highly recommended that all work be saved at this point.
User repositories are saved under each project, not to a user’s account.
This means that any saved user repositories will be available the next time the project is opened.
However, a user created repository that is available in Project 1 will not be available in Project 2.
A new user repository will need to be created for Project 2.
Next, click the Select button to proceed.
Expression Editor
The next step for using dynamic images is to create an expression that links the images in the selected repository to the data in a query.
Click the EXPR option in the dynamic image bottom menu bar.
Create an expression with data references.
The examples in the following pages show three uses for dynamic images and the specific expression required for setting up each of them.
