#DATA# in Chart XML

Question

The #DATA# field in Chart XML takes the data from your SQL query and wraps it in XML so that AnyChart can render the chart correctly.
Is there a way for me to customize how the XML is generated?
Where do I find the definition for the #DATA# field?
Thanks
Austin

Answer 1

Hi Austin,
Firstly, what version of APEX are you using? Pre-APEX 4.0, the supported Flash charts use AnyChart 3.3 charts, however with APEX 4.0 we've integrated AnyChart 5 charts. The XML Reference differs quite alot between the two chart versions, so I'd just like to ensure that I provide you with the correct information for the version of charts you'#re using.
The #DATA# substitution string in your chart XML is replaced at runtime with XML tags containing the resultset from your chart series query. If the chart XML does not contain the #DATA# substitution string, then we assume that you are providing your own data, and the chart series query will not be used. The generation of the XML tags for the data differs from chart type to chart type e.g. the data tags for a Pie chart are very different to that of a Gantt chart. Generally, users don't need to worry about that. They just need to provide the chart series query, and the underlying logic takes care of the rest. However, if you need to customize that XML tags for data, for whatever reason, then you essentially have two options here:
1) Hard-code the necessary XML into the Custom XML region of your chart. This would require that you set "Use Custom XML" to Yes, on the Chart Attributes page, and in the Custom XML region, replace #DATA# with your XML e.g
<data>
  <series name="VALUE" type="Line" color="0x1D8BD1">
    <point name="ALLEN" y="300">
    </point>
    <point name="MARTIN" y="1400">
    </point>
    <point name="TURNER" y="0">
    </point>
    <point name="WARD" y="500">
    </point>
  </series>
</data><b>NOTE</b>: the above XML is in AnyChart 5 format, so if you're using AnyChart 3.3 charts then the XML will look very different. I can provide a sample for that if necessary. The AnyChart 3.3 XML Reference can be accessed here: http://3.anychart.com/products/docs/anychart/index.htm and the AnyChart 5 XML Reference can be accessed here: http://anychart.com/products/anychart/docs/xmlReference/index.html.
or
2) Generate your own data tags, via a page process for example, save the output to a hidden page item, and then reference that page item in the chart Custom XML...again, you'd be removing the #DATA# substitution string and replacing it with a reference to a hidden item e.g. &P1_DATA. I've got an example of how to do this on my Sample Application Thresholds example, here: http://apex.oracle.com/pls/apex/f?p=36648:35. Basically I've used an On-Demand process to generate the XML, which needed to be customised because the <data> tag needs to reference a threshold attribute e.g. <data threshold="salary_thresholds">, and by default the <data> tag does not reference this attribute.
I hope the above information is helpful, and if you require any further explanation or assistance, just let me know.
Regards,
Hilary