Docs / Live data

Show XML data in a table

Map a whole XML feed onto the board: every row a line, every element a column, every cell keeping itself up to date.

#XMLTABLE# is the XML twin of #JSONTABLE#. Point it at a structured XML address and it lays the repeating elements out across the board as rows and columns, so a price list, a schedule or a set of readings mirrors your source without anyone retyping it.

It takes the same parameters as the JSON version: an address, which row to start at, how many rows to fill, and one block per column giving the element name, its alignment and its width in characters. Shorter values are padded, longer ones truncated, so the columns stay in line.

Plenty of systems still publish XML rather than JSON, which is the only reason to pick this one. If your source offers both, either works, use whichever is easier to read. Values refresh on the schedule you set, and a HEX colour element can drive the line colour. Live data is on the Cockpit plan.

Syntax & shortcodes

Type these into a board's text and they flip in the live value. The #...# markers tell Split-Flap TV what to fetch.

XML table, general form

#XMLTABLE#{URL}#{startposition}#{numberofrows}#{instruction}#{columnname}:{alignment}:{length}#{columnname}:{alignment}:{length}#

Repeat the {columnname}:{alignment}:{length} block once per column. Every parameter is in the reference below.

A working example you can paste in

#XMLTABLE#https://splitflaptv.com/FakeData.xml#1#0#1#Name:L:12#CEO:L:16#

Reads our sample feed and shows every company name (12 characters, left-aligned) and its CEO (16 characters, left-aligned), from row 1 to the last row, with a space between the columns.

The sample feed it reads

<ctRoot>
  <company>
    <name>Sydney B.V</name>
    <address>
      <street>9069 Charity Lane</street>
      <city>Greenville</city>
    </address>
    <ceo>Kristel Bratton</ceo>
    <dateCreated>2017-03-03</dateCreated>
  </company>
  <company>
    <name>London Inc</name>
    <ceo>Shelly Land</ceo>
  </company>
</ctRoot>

Each repeating <company> element is one row on the board, and the element names inside it are your column names. Open https://splitflaptv.com/FakeData.xml to see it in full.

What lands on the board

Sydney B.V   Kristel Bratton
London Inc   Shelly Land
Dj SIA       Kellee Boyce-Tur
Ix B.V       Sona Kolb
Franchise St Luann Tribble
Devoted Ener Lacresha Stoner

The first 6 of 10 rows, identical to the JSON example because it is the same data in a different format. Note where the columns truncate: 12 and 16 characters.

Right-align a price column

#XMLTABLE#https://example.com/prices.xml#1#0#1#item:L:14#price:R:8#

L for names, R for numbers, so the prices line up on their last digit down the board. C centres the value.

Page a long feed across two boards

#XMLTABLE#https://example.com/prices.xml#1#10#1#item:L:14#price:R:8#
#XMLTABLE#https://example.com/prices.xml#11#10#1#item:L:14#price:R:8#

The first board shows rows 1 to 10, the second rows 11 to 20. Put them on a schedule and a long list rotates by itself.

Reference

XML table parameters

Parameter	Meaning	Example
{URL}	Address of the XML file	https://splitflaptv.com/FakeData.xml
{startposition}	Fills the display starting with this row number. Typically, you start from row number 1 of your XML data, but maybe you want to use number 11 on the second page of your board if you have many rows.	1
{numberofrows}	Number of rows to be filled, counting from the start position value. When you use 5, then 5 rows from the starting position are filled on your screen. Set to 0 so that we can fill the board till the last line.	0
{instruction}	Special formatting options. Set value to 1 to add a space between 2 columns. Set to 0 to not add this space.	1
{columnname}	Name of the field in your XML data to show in this column. Repeat the {columnname}:{alignment}:{length} block once per column you want on the board.	company
{alignment}	How to align the value within the foreseen length of this column. Use L for left-aligned, R for right-aligned, and C for centered.	L
{length}	What is the number of characters that we have to use for this column? Shorter text is extended with spaces. Longer text is truncated.	12

Step by step

01

Have a structured XML feed

Point to an open XML address that returns rows of data, for example a price list, a schedule or a league table.
02

Check the field names

Open the feed in a browser and note the exact field names you want, they go straight into the shortcode.
03

Add the XMLTABLE shortcode

Put the shortcode on a line of your board with your address and one block per column.
04

Set each column's width and alignment

Give every column a character length and L, R or C. Add the widths (plus a space per gap) to check the row fits your board.
05

Save

Save the board. The whole table flips into place and every cell keeps itself current.

§ Good to know

·Add up your column lengths before you save: the columns plus one space per gap must fit the width of your board, or the last column falls off the edge.
·{length} truncates as well as pads, so a 12-character column turns 'Franchise Store' into 'Franchise St'. Widen the column if names are getting cut.
·Use R alignment for numbers and prices so the digits line up down the board, and L for names.
·Set {numberofrows} to 0 to fill the board to the last row, or pair a start position with a fixed count to page through a long feed across two boards.
·Keep the feed public and lightweight so the board can read it reliably.
·A HEX colour field in your data can drive the line colour, so a row turns red when a figure drops and green when it is on target.

Keep reading

Live data

Show JSON data in a table

Live data

Connect live data (JSON / XML & API)

Content

Using variables (time, date & live data)

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