How to check if a column is visible or not

[MPollicino]

I set the visibility of a column depending on a condition. If I ask Appsheet to show me the cell value, it shows it only if it is true (and it is correct). Now, I want to build a string only with the values ​​that are visible; if they are not, ignore them. I tried to find a formula that would allow me to check the Show status but without success. How can I do it? I hope the question is clear.
Thanks

[jballester]

Hi, 

I understand that, for example, with a virtual column and concatenate() you could call all the fields. From here they would be shown or not depending on their assigned visibility configuration, but, could you show a visual example of the string you are looking for

[MPollicino]

For example:
Stock Milan: 0
Stock London: 15
Stock New York: 0
Stock Tokyo:15

Let's imagine that Milan and London are not visible (because the visibility rules I set do not allow it), the view will show
Stock New York: 0
Stock Tokyo: 15
(Correct!)

Now, I want to concatenate a string and show between Milan, London, New York and Tokyo, only those visible so I expect to see:
Stock New York: 0
Stock Tokyo: 15

instead I see:

Stock Milan: 0
Stock London: 15
Stock New York: 0
Stock Tokyo:15

As I am not able to check whether the field is visible or not.

How can I check the cell if it is visible?
IF(ISSHOW([Stock]),[Stock],"")

[Steve · Accepted solution]

There is no way to determine whether a column is visible or not. You could put the logic you use to decide whether or not to show the column into a virtual column then use that result in your Show_If and in your calculation.

[MPollicino]

Hi @Steve,
your suggestion works but, I don't do a double calculation? (One for the column and one for the virtual one) Is there a way/it's not possible to suggest this change/opportunity?

[Steve]

I do not understand. Please rephrase.

[MPollicino]

Good morning @Steve,
your suggestion works, thanks!
I would like to be able to use the formula only once (in the stock field) and then make only the visible ones appear in the composition, without having to reload them several times. Is it possible?

For example, if you wanted to use your suggestion in Format Rules, the following message would appear:

• The condition of format rule Magazzino may be expensive and slow the user experience of your app

Thanks

[Steve]

Please post a screenshot of the expression you are currently using in ShowIf. Knowing that may guide us to a solution.

[Trevwiller]

Is the value for not being visible "0" ? if so you can make a show if based on if the value equals <> "0". then it would never show them. IF the correct value is compared based on another table to do redundant checks then you would need to compare them based on a select statement for [_THISROW] compared to the second table. this in the show if is pretty expensive resource wise to the app. But if this is going in a virtual column to view the data the show if will be ignored as this means show to the user. You will have to work your expressions to be IF statements that apply to the columns you want to pull wrapped in concatenate. 

CONCATENATE(IF([New York] <> 0, "NEW YORK: " & [New York], "") &  (IF([Milan] <> 0, "MILAN: " & [Milan], "") & IF([London] <> 0, "LONDON: " & [London], "") & IF([Tokyo] <> 0, "TOKYO: " & [Tokyo], ""))

Adjust these as needed for your column structure.

If it is not 0. There has to be something to check against.Then you have to possibly change the setup to make a value that states that it is not accurate or available. yes/no column or even changing the numbers to be text and make an initial value that is "Unavailable" if there is no value to grab.

IF you are trying to change the view based on what you want to see you will have to develop a slice that's expression is an IF statement that works down based on row options you provide. Will take some testing to get perfect and will need a force sync action with every action that constitutes a change.

Hope this helps. There's many other ways I took what you are trying to accomplish, but on to the next. 😁

[MPollicino]

Good morning @Trevwiller ,

0 identifies the quantity and not the fact that it is not visible. Your suggestion is useful but it is not what I need.

Thanks a lot