Viewing Data

The FME Data Inspector provides two methods for viewing data: opening or adding.

Opening a dataset opens a new view window for it to be displayed in. Adding a dataset displays the data in the existing view window; this way multiple datasets can be viewed simultaneously.

Opening a Dataset

Datasets can be opened in the FME Data Inspector in several ways.

• Select File > Open Dataset from the menu bar

• Select the toolbar button Open Dataset

• Drag and drop a file onto any window (except the View window)

• Open from within Workbench

All of these methods cause a dialog to open in the FME Data Inspector in which to define the dataset to view.

Adding a Dataset

Opening a dataset causes a new View tab to be created and the data displayed. To open a dataset within an existing view tab requires the use of tools to add a dataset.

• Selecting File > Add Dataset from the menu bar

• Selecting the toolbar button Add Dataset

• Dragging and dropping a file onto the view window

Windowing Tools

Once data has been opened in the FME Data Inspector, there are many tools available for altering the view.

• Pan

• Zoom In

• Zoom Out

• Zoom to a selected feature

• Zoom to the full extent of the data

TIP

Press the Shift key on the keyboard and it will activate the zoom-in tool in the Inspector. Press the Ctrl key, which will activate the zoom-out tool. Release the key to revert to the previous tool.

This functionality allows users to quickly move between select and navigation modes at the press of a key, so there's no need to click between select and navigation tools on the menu bar or toolbar.