XPages SSJS code to abbreviate overly long View Column values

xpages-columns.js

// Handy XPages SSJS to help keep columns fixed width by truncating the content, but keeps the full
// text value as a tool tip using the ABBR tag.
// Still learning my way around XPages SSJS so any feedback is welcome
// Usage: 1) create a view variable callde "rowData" (All Props > Data > var)
//        2) set view column props to display as HTML
//        3) add code to data computed value: renderViewColumnDataAsTruncated("ProductDescription",15)

function renderViewColumnDataAsTruncated(columnName, maxLength)
{
        //FIXME: there must be a better way of handling viewScope variables...
	if (typeof rowData == "undefined") {
		throw "rowData view variable not set";
	}
	
	if (!rowData.isDocument()) {
		return "";
	}		 		 		
	
	var columnValue = rowData.getColumnValue(columnName);
	if (typeof columnValue == "java.util.Vector") { // multivalue column
		columnValue = columnValue.toArray().join(",");
	}
		
	var abbrStart = "<abbr title=\"" + columnValue + "\">";	
	var abbrMiddle = columnValue.length > maxLength ? columnValue.substring(0,maxLength) + "..." : columnValue;	
	var abbrEnd = "</abbr>";
			
	return abbrStart + abbrMiddle + abbrEnd;	
}