Indexing an output

About this task

When the number of objects to generate for each map execution is known, index the number of occurrences of that output object. To index an output is to generate a specific number of occurrences of that output.

The Use Ellipses option must be disabled when indexing. Click Window > Preferences > Link > Type Tree > Group Window and clear the Use ellipses check box.

To index an output

Procedure

  1. Right-click the output data object you want to index.
  2. On the context menu, click Add Index.

Results

An output object is added to the output card. This output object has the index number in square brackets. For example, [1].

The index number identifies the occurrence of the object. The index number [1] indicates the first occurrence. The index number [2] indicates the second occurrence, and so on. After you have indexed an output, you can enter a map rule for that indexed output. If you have indexed a group, you can then expand the group and add map rules at the component level.

Map to the first occurrence of an indexed object by dragging that object from the input card to the map rule of the item on the output card. Define the second occurrence of the output by dragging the desired object from the input card to the map rule of the item on the output card. If you do not want a third indexed data object, enter the map rule = NONE.

To index a group

Procedure

  1. Right-click the group and click Add Index on the context menu.
  2. Add an index to the desired groups.
  3. Expand those groups, and add map rules at the component level.

To delete an index

Procedure

Right-click the output of an index and click Delete Index.

The indexed occurrence is deleted.