2021.2

The default format for dates, numbers and currencies can be set in the user preferences
("DataMapper preferences" on page852), in the data source settings ("Data source settings" on
page224) and per data field (in the Extract step properties, see "Data Format" on page351).
Setting a default value
You may want to set a default value for a field, in case no extraction can be made. Make sure to
set the data type of the field via the step properties (see above). Then right-click the field and
select Default Value.
The default value must match the selected data type. If the data type of the field is set to Integer,
for example, you cannot enter a value of 2,3. A default date must be formatted as a DateTime
object ("year-month-day" plus the time stamp, for example: 2012-04-11 12.00 AM); see "Date"
on page289.
Modifying extracted data
To modify extracted data - the contents of a field - you have to write a script. The script can be
entered as a Post function in a location-based field or as an Expression in a JavaScript-based
field.
Post function
On the Step properties pane, under Field Definition, you can enter a script in the Post function
field to be run after the extraction. (Click the Use JavaScript Editor button to open the
"boundaries" on page397 dialog if you need more space.)
A Post function script operates directly on the extracted data. Its results replace the extracted
data. For example, the Post function script replace("-", ""); replaces the first dash character that
occurs inside the extracted string. The code toLowerCase(); converts the string to lowercase
letters.
Note that the function must be appropriate for the field's data type.
JavaScript Expression
Alternatively you can change a field's Mode from Location to Javascript:
1. Select the field in the Data Model.
2. On the Step properties pane, under Field Definition, change its Mode to JavaScript.
You will see that the JavaScript Expression field is not empty; it contains the code that was
used to extract data from the location. This code can be used or deleted.
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