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Embedded Lucid Chart automatic data refresh

  • 7 August 2023
  • 9 replies
  • 66 views
Laszlo P
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I have created a Lucid Chart with data link to a Google Sheet. I have embedded the chart in my custom web application.


When I make a change in the Google Sheet most of the time (not always) within 30 seconds the change is reflected in the Lucid Chart editor. To see the data changes in the embedded chart on my web site I have to open the chart in the Lucid Chart editor where most of the time it automatically refreshes.


Is there a way to force the embedded chart data refresh when I reload the page of my custom web application without opening the chart in the Lucid Editor?


It would be great to be able to periodically call a URL with a background process to force the Lucid Chart data update so the embedded chart would show the latest on the web site.

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Best answer by Jake C 8 August 2023, 22:28

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J
Userlevel 2
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Hi Laszlo thank you for your question.

We don't have a dedicated endpoint to update the embedded document data when it's linked to an outside source. However calling the GET document contents endpoint may update the embedded document as if you had opened it (it's not built for this so we can't guarantee that it will). https://developer.lucid.co/rest-api/v1/#document-contents

Let us know if this works for you.

J
Userlevel 2
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Hi Laszlo

We've been doing some additional testing on our end and it appears that the GET document contents endpoint does not force the data to refresh like we initially thought it might. This means that the best way to force the data to refresh is still manually opening the document. If this does not make the data sync you can click the refresh button in the data menu on the left-hand side of the editor. We'll also pass your request onto our product teams to consider.

Laszlo P
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Hi Jake

We want to display color coded application status information on the charts so the refresh has to be 24/7 automated.

Would it be a solution to launch a Linux or Windows virtual machine with a user interface open as many browser windows as many charts we have and keep the charts in the editor open? Would the 30 second auto refresh keep the charts updated?

J
Userlevel 2
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Hi Laszlo

The VM solution would probably work but you would have to keep the document active by moving the mouse so that it doesn't go inactive and your cookie doesn't get deactivated. We've been looking into this more on our end though and we're exploring adding a data sync request to the embed when it loads/refreshes on the embedded page. Would this solve your use case?

Note we are exploring this as an option but it is not currently on our roadmap.

Laszlo P
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Hi Jake

If the mouse has to be active and move in every browser window I think we would need as many VMs as charts we have which would make it very costly.

I think the only real solutions would be to sync the data when an API call triggers it or the embedded chart reloads on the web page. I imagine these changes would not require too much work as the functionality already exists in the editor and the auto refresh already has to execute the same process every 30 seconds.

J
Userlevel 2
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Hi Laszlo

This was our thought as well. We're having internal discussions about this and will keep you updated.

Laszlo P
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Hi Jake

I just had a discussion with our network team and our company does not allow the use of Google Sheets. They recommend to link charts to other data sources like Excel Online PostgreSQL CSV file read from S3 buckets or via SFTP. Our application would update the data source and trigger the chart refresh via an API call or the embedded chart request could update the chart.

Please let us know if you have any other recommendations and we will work with you to develop the most desirable process.

J
Userlevel 2
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Hi Laszlo

Those sound like good solutions. We've had some discussions about how we would want to build this into our product but we do not have it on the roadmap yet. We're going to talk about when/if we want to implement this change. We'll update you when this feature is on our roadmap.

Micah
Userlevel 6
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Hi! I’m Micah from Lucid’s community team. 👋 I thought you, and any others who might come across this topic in the future, might be interested in Lucid’s Data Trusted User Group. This group is made up of knowledgeable users who regularly analyze and visualize data in their work. As part of this group, you’ll have the opportunity to connect directly with Lucid’s product team, gain early access to beta features, and share insights about your needs, shaping the future of Lucid’s data solutions 🎉 You can learn more and request to join here. Thanks!

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