Loading Empty Data Set Breaks Report Definition

Hi Aaron,
 
Thank you for writing to us.
 
Please note that the slice is built based on the data passed to the pivot table. Therefore, if no data is provided, there is nothing to build a slice upon, but as soon as you pass some data, the slice can be defined.
 
What we would suggest in your situation is to specify a mapping object, which predefines all the fields in your data, thus providing the data structure for the slice to be built on. More specifically, you need to include the mapping object in every updateData() API call, since the latter updates the whole dataSource object erasing the mapping property if it is not specified:
 

function onOpenEmpty() {
    pivot.updateData({
        type: "json",
        data: getNoData(),
        mapping: getMapping()
    });
}


function getMapping() {
    return {
        "Country": {
            type: "string"
        },
        "Category": {
            type: "string"
        },
        "Color": {
            type: "string"
        },
        "Price": {
            type: "number"
        },
        "Quantity": {
            type: "number"
        }
    }
}

 
We've prepared a quick JSFiddle example based on your sample, where the hierarchy captions are still displayed with empty data and the slice structure being preserved throughout the data transformations: https://jsfiddle.net/flexmonster/ucsfbg4d
 
Please let us know if this helps.
 
Best regards,
Mykhailo

Hi Aaron,
 
Thank you for explaining your situation further in detail and our apologies for the delayed response.
 
We would like to emphasize that the object passed to the updateData() API call employs the same structure as the dataSource object from the pivot table report. Therefore, you actually can specify the filename & requestHeaders in updateData() just as you do in the dataSource object when defining the Report object.
 
However, if we understand your situation correctly, a potential solution would involve using the setReport() instead of updateData(). We've prepared another JSFiddle example to illustrate this: https://jsfiddle.net/flexmonster/ym6brqfn/
 
In this sample, the last valid report is stored in a global variable which is updated every time a current report is renewed with valid configurations (that is, not containing empty data). This allows you to use it when you need to reset the report to a valid form after the empty data has been loaded, breaking the slice configurations. We've also added a few small tweaks in order for the hierarchy captions still being displayed even when the data is empty.
 
We hope this helps you solve the mentioned issue.
 
Please let us know your thoughts.
 
Best regards,
Mykhailo

Hi Aaron
 
We've tried to reproduce the described behavior and it seems like the browser is now returning an error when the empty data set is loaded first. We will investigate this and return to you with a fix ETA June 1st.
 
Please let us know if we can help you with anything else in the meantime.
 
Kind regards,
Mykhailo

Hi Aaron,
 
We are glad to announce that the issue with loading empty data was fixed.
 
This is provided in the 2.8.8 version of Flexmonster: https://www.flexmonster.com/release-notes/
You are welcome to update the component. Here is our updating to the latest version tutorial for guidance: https://www.flexmonster.com/doc/updating-to-the-latest-version/ 
 
Please let us know if everything works fine for you.
 
Best regards,
Mykhailo