---
title: "Define a Data Frame Control"
slug: "define-a-data-frame-control"
updated: 2026-02-23T08:12:52Z
published: 2026-02-23T08:12:52Z
canonical: "documentation.lakesidesoftware.com/define-a-data-frame-control"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.lakesidesoftware.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Define a Data Frame Control

## Define a Data Frame Control

The Data Frame Control is used to transform data from one or more rows into either an array of data values or a series of columns. The Data Frame takes the values from the specified Value Column(s) and translates them based on the Frame Column. All other columns are effectively treated as group-by columns. This transformation is usually required for input to a [Sparkline visualization](/documentation/docs/add-a-sparkline-to-a-grid).

![](https://cdn.document360.io/87d11426-6b1f-4b19-b593-b71e55a81af3/Images/Documentation/sparkline_example.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-17T14%3A53%3A46Z&se=2026-10-17T15%3A53%3A46Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=EIIuuJwNZjQNCuIETjlV8Ylojog%2FQ5roI6xVHLqUSpI%3D)

> [!NOTE]
> **NOTE**: The Data Frame Control block in SysTrack Dashboard version 8.0 (and above) includes the option of two data frame modes: **Transpose** and **Condense**. If you are using SysTrack Version 7.2 or lower, follow instructions for [Defining a Data Frame Control](/documentation/docs/define-a-data-frame-control).

1. Drag a [Query Data block](/documentation/docs/define-a-query-data-block) to the workspace and define the Query Data block as necessary.
2. Add a Data Frame Control to the workspace and connect a Query Data block as input to the Data Frame Control.

> [!NOTE]
> **NOTE**: The Data Frame Control object will not appear when you view the dashboard.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/87d11426-6b1f-4b19-b593-b71e55a81af3/Images/Documentation/dataframe_80.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-17T14%3A53%3A46Z&se=2026-10-17T15%3A53%3A46Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=EIIuuJwNZjQNCuIETjlV8Ylojog%2FQ5roI6xVHLqUSpI%3D)
3. In the **Mode** field select either [Transpose](/docs/define-a-data-frame-control#Transpose) or [Condense](/docs/define-a-data-frame-control#Condense_Mode) from the drop-down list.

## Transpose Mode

1. Select **Transpose Mode** to take the different rows value columns and choose to:
  - Check **Create a new column for each frame** to convert the different rows' value columns into new columns for each frame (index) value:
  - ![](https://cdn.document360.io/87d11426-6b1f-4b19-b593-b71e55a81af3/Images/Documentation/dataframe_trans_newcol.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-17T14%3A53%3A46Z&se=2026-10-17T15%3A53%3A46Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=EIIuuJwNZjQNCuIETjlV8Ylojog%2FQ5roI6xVHLqUSpI%3D)

OR
  - Concatenate them into a single array column:
  - ![](https://cdn.document360.io/87d11426-6b1f-4b19-b593-b71e55a81af3/Images/Documentation/dataframe_trans_concat.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-17T14%3A53%3A46Z&se=2026-10-17T15%3A53%3A46Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=EIIuuJwNZjQNCuIETjlV8Ylojog%2FQ5roI6xVHLqUSpI%3D)
2. Select a **Frame Column** from the drop-down list (the columns are defined in a visualization object, such as the grid in the example above). The **Frame Column** is the index column around which the data will be transformed.
3. Specify **Value Columns**. This is the column whose values will be concatenated or placed into a series of columns. Select a **Value Column** from the drop-down list. If you selected **Create a column for each frame** in **Transpose** mode, click the **Apply** button, otherwise continue with step 4 below.
4. To add another **Value Column**, click the **Add Value Column** button to select another value column. Repeat this step for each **Value Column** you wish to add.
5. When you are done, click the **Apply** button.

## Condense Mode

1. Select **Condense Mode** if you wish to concatenate individual column values into a single array column:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/87d11426-6b1f-4b19-b593-b71e55a81af3/Images/Documentation/data-frame_condense.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-17T14%3A53%3A46Z&se=2026-10-17T15%3A53%3A46Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=EIIuuJwNZjQNCuIETjlV8Ylojog%2FQ5roI6xVHLqUSpI%3D)
2. Enter a name of your choice in the **Condensed column name** field.
3. In the **Choose columns** list place a check mark in columns you wish to concatenate in the Condensed column (These values are defined in the linked Query data block).
4. When you are done, click the **Apply** button.