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Using macro in macro validation expression

Yolan
Explorer

Hi,

I am trying to use a macro inside a macro validation expression. This is because I plan to make a number of similar macro's which all share some inputs, which need to be validated. 
However when I run the macro I get the following error:

 

The validation expression is invalid: 'The expression is malformed. An unexpected character is reached at '`names`)...

 

This indicates to me that macro's are not allowed to be used inside validation expressions.

Here is a minimum example:

  • Create a macro 'names', which just contains a list of allowed values for a name (e.g. "john", "hank", "pete")
  • Create a macro 'test(1)' that takes one argument, 'name'
  • In the validation expression of 'test', validate the 'name' argument by checking if it occurs in the list:

 

in("$name$", `names`)​

 

  • Now run the 'test' macro in a search, this will give the aforementioned error.

I was wondering if this is intended behavior or maybe a bug or wrong setting in my companies Splunk installation?

Thanks, Yolan.

Edit: I created an Idea to add this functionality, please vote on it if you think it is a good idea, thanks! Allow use of macros in macro validation expressions | Ideas (splunk.com)

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