Clearing a table, but properly

[MaSta]

Hello all! I searched for this topic of clearing a table and some results came up, but this goes deeper...

Clearing the content of a table is simple. Either wire an empty array or use a method. However, if you colored some cells they're not reset by these two ways, so this has to go via extra code where you have to address every single colored cell.

Problem: How many rows/cells to clear? The property NumberOfRows only shows you how many visible rows a table has. The array size of a table when read is always as big as the last one you loaded into the table. What I mean specifically: you would have to store the highest number of rows you ever filled with data to use this number when clearing. 

Side problem, even worse: the table stores the colored cells when you save, so the highest number would have to be saved into a file outside of the application.

I looked through all methods and properties and couldn't find a more elegant way to clear the colored cells. Anybody knows one?

[MaSta]

Other question: tables have a property to adapt the row height automatically. How is this triggered? Writing text that contains a line wrap doesn't do the trick. The help file speaks of multi-line text. What is multi-line text if not one that contains a line wrap or end of line token?

[pincpanter]

1) Set ActiveCell to -2,-2 to select all cells.

2) It does work, but you need to activate Multi-Line Input (right-click on the indicator or use a Property Node)

[MaSta]

2) Ouch! So obvious, but didn't work at first. See the VI nr. 17 below. Found out this is again something where you need to set a selection. The automatic row height furthermore doesn't seem to be a permanent setting, but more of an action you can trigger on the selected cells and then they're auto-sized. Means, you would have to do that over and over.

Seeing all this I wonder what crazy guy designed those classes. This is absolutely insane and way too complicated to use.

[MaSta]

For a test I extended the VI by an express table and a list view. Having the second table wired to all the action in the VI, LabVIEW would still perform the filling/clearing on the first table, but also on the second one that remains empty at then end. Totally crazy.

[MaSta]

Found out that adapting the cell height automatically after either one-line or multi-line text has bee written requires to toggle the property. Means, turn off, then turn on again to trigger the auto-size. Doh! 

[Basjong53 · Accepted solution]

Just use the -2,-2 as ActiveCell and set the CellBGColor to white when you clear the table.

 

[LLindenbauer]

Check out the documentation for "Active Cell": https://labviewwiki.org/wiki/Table_class/Active_Cell.Active_Cell_property

The magic indices "-1" and "-2" set properties for the heading cell and the whole column/row/table. In case you've been using them: The german help files contain translation errors ("size" instead of "position"), so refer to the english help.

The cell height auto size is a bit wonky. (I see you already found the solution to that one.)

[MaSta]

@BasJong53: wow, thanks. Admitted, I never looked at the help page for ActiveCell, as it's self-explaining so far.

@LLindenbauer: also thanks. Yes, the -1 I knew and used before, but -2 was new.