diff --git a/core/ViewDataTable.php b/core/ViewDataTable.php
index c997969b1be..bd83dea97bf 100644
--- a/core/ViewDataTable.php
+++ b/core/ViewDataTable.php
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@
  *    }
  * </pre>
  *
+ * @see Piwik_ViewDataTable_Properties for core DataTable display properties.
  * @see factory() for all the available output (cloud tags, html table, pie chart, vertical bar chart)
  * @package Piwik
  * @subpackage Piwik_ViewDataTable
@@ -112,7 +113,6 @@ abstract class Piwik_ViewDataTable
      */
     protected $view = null;
 
-    
     /**
      * Default constructor.
      */
@@ -173,6 +173,37 @@ public function __construct()
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Gets a view property by reference.
+     * 
+     * @param string $name A valid view property name. @see Piwik_ViewDataTable_Properties for all
+     *                     valid view properties.
+     * @return mixed
+     * @throws Exception if the property name is invalid.
+     */
+    public function &__get($name)
+    {
+        Piwik_ViewDataTable_Properties::checkValidPropertyName($name);
+
+        return $this->viewProperties[$name];
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Sets a view property.
+     * 
+     * @param string $name A valid view property name. @see Piwik_ViewDataTable_Properties for all
+     *                     valid view properties.
+     * @param mixed $value
+     * @return mixed Returns $value.
+     * @throws Exception if the property name is invalid.
+     */
+    public function __set($name, $value)
+    {
+        Piwik_ViewDataTable_Properties::checkValidPropertyName($name);
+
+        return $this->viewProperties[$name] = $value;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Method to be implemented by the ViewDataTable_*.
      * This method should create and initialize a $this->view object @see Piwik_View_Interface
@@ -196,16 +227,21 @@ abstract protected function getViewDataTableId();
      * If force is set to true, a ViewDataTable of the $defaultType will be returned in all cases.
      *
      * @param string $defaultType Any of these: table, cloud, graphPie, graphVerticalBar, graphEvolution, sparkline, generateDataChart*
-     * @param string|bool $action
+     * @param string|bool $apiAction
+     * @param string|bool $controllerAction
      * @return Piwik_ViewDataTable
      */
-    static public function factory($defaultType = null, $action = false)
+    static public function factory($defaultType = null, $apiAction = false, $controllerAction = false)
     {
-        if ($action !== false) {
-            $defaultProperties = self::getDefaultPropertiesForReport($action);
+        if ($apiAction !== false) {
+            $defaultProperties = self::getDefaultPropertiesForReport($apiAction);
             if (isset($defaultProperties['default_view_type'])) {
                 $defaultType = $defaultProperties['default_view_type'];
             }
+
+            if ($controllerAction === false) {
+                $controllerAction = $apiAction;
+            }
         }
         
         if ($defaultType === null) {
@@ -248,15 +284,15 @@ static public function factory($defaultType = null, $action = false)
                 break;
         }
         
-        if ($action !== false) {
-            list($plugin, $controllerAction) = explode('.', $action);
+        if ($apiAction !== false) {
+            list($plugin, $controllerAction) = explode('.', $controllerAction);
             
             $subtableAction = $controllerAction;
             if (isset($defaultProperties['subtable_action'])) {
                 $subtableAction = $defaultProperties['subtable_action'];
             }
             
-            $result->init($plugin, $controllerAction, $action, $subtableAction, $defaultProperties);
+            $result->init($plugin, $controllerAction, $apiAction, $subtableAction, $defaultProperties);
         }
         
         return $result;
@@ -1583,7 +1619,7 @@ private function getBaseReportUrl($module, $action, $queryParams = array())
      * @param bool $fetch If true, the result is returned, if false it is echo'd.
      * @return string|null See $fetch.
      */
-    static public function render($pluginName, $apiAction, $fetch = true)
+    static public function renderReport($pluginName, $apiAction, $fetch = true)
     {
         $apiClassName = 'Piwik_'.$pluginName.'_API';
         if (!method_exists($apiClassName::getInstance(), $apiAction)) {
@@ -1591,8 +1627,7 @@ static public function render($pluginName, $apiAction, $fetch = true)
         }
         
         $view = self::factory(null, $pluginName.'.'.$apiAction);
-        $view->main();
-        $rendered = $view->getView()->render();
+        $rendered = $view->render();
         
         if ($fetch) {
             return $rendered;
@@ -1600,6 +1635,17 @@ static public function render($pluginName, $apiAction, $fetch = true)
             echo $rendered;
         }
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Convenience function. Calls main() & renders the view that gets built.
+     * 
+     * @return string The result of rendering.
+     */
+    public function render()
+    {
+        $this->main();
+        return $this->getView()->render();
+    }
     
     /**
      * Returns whether the DataTable result will have to be expanded for the
@@ -1624,7 +1670,7 @@ public static function shouldLoadExpanded()
      * @param array|string $columnsToCheckFor eg, array('nb_visits', 'nb_uniq_visitors')
      * @return bool
      */
-    private function dataTableColumnsContains($columns, $columnsToCheckFor)
+    protected function dataTableColumnsContains($columns, $columnsToCheckFor)
     {
         if (!is_array($columnsToCheckFor)) {
             $columnsToCheckFor = array($columnsToCheckFor);
@@ -1659,7 +1705,7 @@ protected function buildView($visualization, $template = false)
 
         $view->visualization = $visualization;
         
-        if (!$this->isDataAvailable) {
+        if (!$this->dataTable === null) {
             $view->dataTable = null;
         } else {
             $view->dataTable = $this->dataTable;
diff --git a/core/ViewDataTable/Cloud.php b/core/ViewDataTable/Cloud.php
index 02fed10119d..28127ca281e 100644
--- a/core/ViewDataTable/Cloud.php
+++ b/core/ViewDataTable/Cloud.php
@@ -49,11 +49,12 @@ public function main()
         }
         $this->mainAlreadyExecuted = true;
 
-        $this->isDataAvailable = true;
         try {
             $this->loadDataTableFromAPI();
         } catch (Exception $e) {
-            $this->isDataAvailable = false;
+            Piwik::log("Failed to get data from API: " . $e->getMessage());
+
+            $this->loadingError = array('message' => $e->getMessage());
         }
 
         $this->checkStandardDataTable();
diff --git a/core/ViewDataTable/GenerateGraphHTML.php b/core/ViewDataTable/GenerateGraphHTML.php
index 24ff479624a..2114eb38fa0 100644
--- a/core/ViewDataTable/GenerateGraphHTML.php
+++ b/core/ViewDataTable/GenerateGraphHTML.php
@@ -221,7 +221,6 @@ public function main()
         // will be done on the table before the labels are enhanced (see ReplaceColumnNames)
         $this->disableQueuedFilters();
 
-        $this->isDataAvailable = true;
         try {
             $this->loadDataTableFromAPI();
         } catch (Piwik_Access_NoAccessException $e) {
@@ -229,7 +228,6 @@ public function main()
         } catch (Exception $e) {
             Piwik::log("Failed to get data from API: " . $e->getMessage());
 
-            $this->isDataAvailable = false;
             $this->loadingError = array('message' => $e->getMessage());
         }
 
diff --git a/core/ViewDataTable/HtmlTable.php b/core/ViewDataTable/HtmlTable.php
index bc4cc034579..2830ab5cb51 100644
--- a/core/ViewDataTable/HtmlTable.php
+++ b/core/ViewDataTable/HtmlTable.php
@@ -64,7 +64,6 @@ public function main()
         }
         $this->mainAlreadyExecuted = true;
 
-        $this->isDataAvailable = true;
         try {
             $this->loadDataTableFromAPI();
         } catch (Piwik_Access_NoAccessException $e) {
@@ -72,7 +71,6 @@ public function main()
         } catch (Exception $e) {
             Piwik::log("Failed to get data from API: " . $e->getMessage());
 
-            $this->isDataAvailable = false;
             $this->loadingError = array('message' => $e->getMessage());
         }
 
diff --git a/core/ViewDataTable/HtmlTable/AllColumns.php b/core/ViewDataTable/HtmlTable/AllColumns.php
index 9b1a1f77d31..3426ef4af3c 100644
--- a/core/ViewDataTable/HtmlTable/AllColumns.php
+++ b/core/ViewDataTable/HtmlTable/AllColumns.php
@@ -38,9 +38,8 @@ protected function postDataTableLoadedFromAPI()
         $valid = parent::postDataTableLoadedFromAPI();
         if (!$valid) return false;
 
-        Piwik_Controller::setPeriodVariablesView($this);
         $columnUniqueVisitors = false;
-        if ($this->period == 'day') {
+        if ($this->dataTableColumnsContains($this->dataTable->getColumns(), 'nb_uniq_visitors')) {
             $columnUniqueVisitors = 'nb_uniq_visitors';
         }
 
diff --git a/core/ViewDataTable/HtmlTable/Goals.php b/core/ViewDataTable/HtmlTable/Goals.php
index 3ca37b6c20d..618ed20edd5 100644
--- a/core/ViewDataTable/HtmlTable/Goals.php
+++ b/core/ViewDataTable/HtmlTable/Goals.php
@@ -15,6 +15,9 @@
  */
 class Piwik_ViewDataTable_HtmlTable_Goals extends Piwik_ViewDataTable_HtmlTable
 {
+    private $processOnlyIdGoal = null;
+    private $isEcommerce = false;
+
     protected function getViewDataTableId()
     {
         return 'tableGoals';
diff --git a/core/ViewDataTable/Properties.php b/core/ViewDataTable/Properties.php
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1a899f37b1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/ViewDataTable/Properties.php
@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+<?php
+/**
+ * Piwik - Open source web analytics
+ *
+ * @link http://piwik.org
+ * @license http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html GPL v3 or later
+ *
+ * @category Piwik
+ * @package Piwik
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Contains the list of all core DataTable display properties for use with ViewDataTable.
+ * 
+ * @see Piwik_ViewDataTable for more info.
+ * 
+ * TODO: change the names of properties to match the const names where appropriate.
+ */
+class Piwik_ViewDataTable_Properties
+{
+    /**
+     * This property determines which Twig template to use when rendering a ViewDataTable.
+     * 
+     * TODO: shouldn't have this property. should only use visualization classes.
+     */
+    const DATATABLE_TEMPLATE = 'datatable_template';
+
+    /**
+     * Controls whether the goals footer icon is shown.
+     */
+    const SHOW_GOALS = 'show_goals';
+
+    /**
+     * Array property mapping DataTable column names with their internationalized names.
+     */
+    const COLUMN_NAME_TRANSLATIONS = 'translations';
+
+    /**
+     * Controls which column to sort the DataTable by before truncating and displaying.
+     */
+    const SORTED_COLUMN = 'filter_sort_column';
+
+    /**
+     * Controls the sort order. Either 'asc' or 'desc'.
+     * 
+     * @see self::SORTED_COLUMN
+     */
+    const SORT_ORDER = 'filter_sort_order';
+
+    /**
+     * The limit used when rendering a jqPlot graph.
+     * 
+     * TODO: either replace w/ filter_limit, or make it a visualization property.
+     */
+    const GRAPH_LIMIT = 'graph_limit';
+
+    /**
+     * The number of items to truncate the data set to before rendering the DataTable view.
+     */
+    const LIMIT = 'filter_limit';
+
+    /**
+     * Controls whether the 'Exclude Low Population' option (visible in the popup that displays after
+     * clicking the 'cog' icon) is shown.
+     */
+    const SHOW_EXCLUDE_LOW_POPULATION = 'show_exclude_low_population';
+
+    /**
+     * Controls whether the 'All Columns' footer icon is shown.
+     */
+    const SHOW_ALL_TABLES_VIEW = 'show_table_all_columns';
+
+    /**
+     * Controls whether the Row Evolution datatable row action icon is shown.
+     */
+    const DISABLE_ROW_EVOLUTION = 'disable_row_evolution';
+
+    /**
+     * The unit to display in jqPlot graphs.
+     * 
+     * TODO: Either this should be a visualization property, or should be named something different.
+     */
+    const Y_AXIS_UNIT = 'y_axis_unit';
+
+    /**
+     * Controls whether the entire view footer is shown.
+     */
+    const SHOW_FOOTER = 'show_footer';
+
+    /**
+     * Controls whether the row that contains all footer icons & the limit selector is shown.
+     */
+    const SHOW_FOOTER_ICONS = 'show_footer_icons';
+
+    /**
+     * Array property that determines which columns will be shown. Columns not in this array
+     * should not appear in ViewDataTable visualizations.
+     * 
+     * Example: array('label', 'nb_visits', 'nb_uniq_visitors')
+     */
+    const COLUMNS_TO_DISPLAY = 'columns_to_display';
+
+    /**
+     * Whether to display the logo assocatied with a DataTable row (stored as 'logo' row metadata)
+     * isntead of the label in Tag Clouds.
+     */
+    const DISPLAY_LOGO_INSTEAD_OF_LABEL = 'display_logo_instead_of_label';
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the set of all valid ViewDataTable properties. The result is an array with property
+     * name as a key. Values of the array are undefined.
+     * 
+     * @return array
+     */
+    public static function getAllProperties()
+    {
+        static $propertiesCache = null;
+
+        if ($propertiesCache === null) {
+            $klass = new ReflectionClass(__CLASS__);
+            $propertiesCache = array_flip($klass->getConstants());
+        }
+
+        return $propertiesCache;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Checks if a property is a valid ViewDataTable property, and if not, throws an exception.
+     *
+     * @param string $name The property name.
+     * @throws Exception
+     */
+    public static function checkValidPropertyName($name)
+    {
+        $properties = self::getAllProperties();
+        if (!isset($properties[$name])) {
+            throw new Exception("Invalid ViewDataTable display property '$name'. Is this a visualization property? "
+                              . "If so, set it with \$view->visualization_properties->$name = ...");
+        }
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/ViewDataTable/Sparkline.php b/core/ViewDataTable/Sparkline.php
index 062a9267b2d..c49759cd1f1 100644
--- a/core/ViewDataTable/Sparkline.php
+++ b/core/ViewDataTable/Sparkline.php
@@ -43,10 +43,8 @@ public function main()
         $_GET['period'] = $period;
 
         $values = $this->getValuesFromDataTable($this->dataTable);
-        $this->isDataAvailable = true;
         if (empty($values)) {
             $values = array_fill(0, 30, 0);
-            $this->isDataAvailable = false;
         }
 
         $graph = new Piwik_Visualization_Sparkline();
diff --git a/plugins/Actions/Controller.php b/plugins/Actions/Controller.php
index f7597825e56..578ca3bf2a4 100644
--- a/plugins/Actions/Controller.php
+++ b/plugins/Actions/Controller.php
@@ -84,66 +84,66 @@ public function indexOutlinks($fetch = false)
     
     public function getPageUrls($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
     
     public function getEntryPageUrls($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getExitPageUrls($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getSiteSearchKeywords($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getSiteSearchNoResultKeywords($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getSiteSearchCategories($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getPageUrlsFollowingSiteSearch($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getPageTitlesFollowingSiteSearch($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getPageTitles($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getEntryPageTitles($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getExitPageTitles($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getDownloads($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getOutlinks($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 }
diff --git a/plugins/CustomVariables/Controller.php b/plugins/CustomVariables/Controller.php
index 83b83fb7799..ae7fcaad8cf 100644
--- a/plugins/CustomVariables/Controller.php
+++ b/plugins/CustomVariables/Controller.php
@@ -23,12 +23,12 @@ public function index($fetch = false)
 
     public function getCustomVariables($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getCustomVariablesValuesFromNameId($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/plugins/DBStats/Controller.php b/plugins/DBStats/Controller.php
index 430b2126efc..e5109ee5774 100644
--- a/plugins/DBStats/Controller.php
+++ b/plugins/DBStats/Controller.php
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ public function index()
     public function getDatabaseUsageSummary($fetch = false)
     {
         Piwik::checkUserIsSuperUser();
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ public function getDatabaseUsageSummary($fetch = false)
     public function getTrackerDataSummary($fetch = false)
     {
         Piwik::checkUserIsSuperUser();
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ public function getTrackerDataSummary($fetch = false)
     public function getMetricDataSummary($fetch = false)
     {
         Piwik::checkUserIsSuperUser();
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ public function getMetricDataSummary($fetch = false)
     public function getMetricDataSummaryByYear($fetch = false)
     {
         Piwik::checkUserIsSuperUser();
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ public function getMetricDataSummaryByYear($fetch = false)
     public function getReportDataSummary($fetch = false)
     {
         Piwik::checkUserIsSuperUser();
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ public function getReportDataSummary($fetch = false)
     public function getReportDataSummaryByYear($fetch = false)
     {
         Piwik::checkUserIsSuperUser();
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ public function getReportDataSummaryByYear($fetch = false)
     public function getIndividualReportsSummary($fetch = false)
     {
         Piwik::checkUserIsSuperUser();
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ public function getIndividualReportsSummary($fetch = false)
     public function getIndividualMetricsSummary($fetch = false)
     {
         Piwik::checkUserIsSuperUser();
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -172,6 +172,6 @@ public function getIndividualMetricsSummary($fetch = false)
     public function getAdminDataSummary($fetch = false)
     {
         Piwik::checkUserIsSuperUser();
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 }
diff --git a/plugins/DevicesDetection/Controller.php b/plugins/DevicesDetection/Controller.php
index 94584e60b9c..fffae636b80 100644
--- a/plugins/DevicesDetection/Controller.php
+++ b/plugins/DevicesDetection/Controller.php
@@ -25,37 +25,37 @@ public function index($fetch = false)
 
     public function getType($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getBrand($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getModel($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getOsFamilies($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getOsVersions($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getBrowserFamilies($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getBrowserVersions($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/plugins/ExampleUI/Controller.php b/plugins/ExampleUI/Controller.php
index 1535c07220c..7e4f02d630e 100644
--- a/plugins/ExampleUI/Controller.php
+++ b/plugins/ExampleUI/Controller.php
@@ -14,61 +14,61 @@
  */
 class Piwik_ExampleUI_Controller extends Piwik_Controller
 {
-    function dataTables()
+    public function dataTables()
     {
-        $view = Piwik_ViewDataTable::factory('table');
-        $view->init($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, 'ExampleUI.getTemperatures');
-        $view->setColumnTranslation('value', "Temperature in °C");
-        $view->setColumnTranslation('label', "Hour of day");
-        $view->setSortedColumn('label', 'asc');
-        $view->setGraphLimit(24);
-        $view->setLimit(24);
-        $view->disableExcludeLowPopulation();
-        $view->disableShowAllColumns();
-        $view->disableRowEvolution();
-        $view->setAxisYUnit('°C'); // useful if the user requests the bar graph
-        return $this->renderView($view);
+        $view = Piwik_ViewDataTable::factory('table', 'ExampleUI.getTemperatures', $controllerAction = 'ExampleUI.dataTables');
+        $view->translations['value'] = "Temperature in °C";
+        $view->translations['label'] = "Hour of day";
+        $view->filter_sort_column = 'label';
+        $view->filter_sort_order = 'asc';
+        $view->graph_limit = 24;
+        $view->filter_limit = 24;
+        $view->show_exclude_low_population = false;
+        $view->show_table_all_columns = false;
+        $view->disable_row_evolution = true;
+        $view->y_axis_unit = '°C'; // useful if the user requests the bar graph
+        echo $view->render();
     }
 
-    function evolutionGraph()
+    public function evolutionGraph()
     {
         echo "<h2>Evolution of server temperatures over the last few days</h2>";
         $this->echoEvolutionGraph();
     }
 
-    function echoEvolutionGraph()
+    public function echoEvolutionGraph()
     {
-        $view = Piwik_ViewDataTable::factory('graphEvolution');
-        $view->init($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, 'ExampleUI.getTemperaturesEvolution');
-        $view->setColumnTranslation('server1', "Temperature server piwik.org");
-        $view->setColumnTranslation('server2', "Temperature server dev.piwik.org");
-        $view->setAxisYUnit('°C'); // useful if the user requests the bar graph
-        return $this->renderView($view);
+        $view = Piwik_ViewDataTable::factory(
+            'graphEvolution', 'ExampleUI.getTemperaturesEvolution', $controllerAction = 'ExampleUI.echoEvolutionGraph');
+        $view->translations['server1'] = "Temperature server piwik.org";
+        $view->translations['server2'] = "Temperature server dev.piwik.org";
+        $view->y_axis_unit = '°C'; // useful if the user requests the bar graph
+        echo $view->render();
     }
 
-    function barGraph()
+    public function barGraph()
     {
-        $view = Piwik_ViewDataTable::factory('graphVerticalBar');
-        $view->init($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, 'ExampleUI.getTemperatures');
-        $view->setColumnTranslation('value', "Temperature");
-        $view->setAxisYUnit('°C');
-        $view->setGraphLimit(24);
-        $view->disableFooter();
-        return $this->renderView($view);
+        $view = Piwik_ViewDataTable::factory(
+            'graphVerticalBar', 'ExampleUI.getTemperatures', $controllerAction = 'ExampleUI.barGraph');
+        $view->translations['value'] = "Temperature";
+        $view->y_axis_unit = '°C';
+        $view->graph_limit = 24;
+        $view->show_footer = false;
+        echo $view->render();
     }
 
-    function pieGraph()
+    public function pieGraph()
     {
-        $view = Piwik_ViewDataTable::factory('graphPie');
-        $view->init($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, 'ExampleUI.getPlanetRatios');
-        $view->setColumnsToDisplay('value');
-        $view->setColumnTranslation('value', "times the diameter of Earth");
-        $view->setGraphLimit(10);
-        $view->disableFooterIcons();
-        return $this->renderView($view);
+        $view = Piwik_ViewDataTable::factory(
+            'graphPie', 'ExampleUI.getPlanetRatios', $controllerAction = 'ExampleUI.pieGraph');
+        $view->columns_to_display = array('value');
+        $view->translations['value'] = "times the diameter of Earth";
+        $view->graph_limit = 10;
+        $view->show_footer_icons = false;
+        echo $view->render();
     }
 
-    function tagClouds()
+    public function tagClouds()
     {
         echo "<h2>Simple tag cloud</h2>";
         $this->echoSimpleTagClouds();
@@ -81,28 +81,27 @@ function tagClouds()
         $this->echoAdvancedTagClouds();
     }
 
-    function echoSimpleTagClouds()
+    public function echoSimpleTagClouds()
     {
-        $view = Piwik_ViewDataTable::factory('cloud');
-        $view->init($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, 'ExampleUI.getPlanetRatios');
-        $view->setColumnsToDisplay(array('label', 'value'));
-        $view->setColumnTranslation('value', "times the diameter of Earth");
-        $view->disableFooter();
-        $this->renderView($view);
+        $view = Piwik_ViewDataTable::factory(
+            'cloud', 'ExampleUI.getPlanetRatios', $controllerAction = 'ExampleUI.echoSimpleTagClouds');
+        $view->columns_to_display = array('label', 'value');
+        $view->translations['value'] = "times the diameter of Earth";
+        $view->show_footer = false;
+        echo $view->render();
     }
 
-    function echoAdvancedTagClouds()
+    public function echoAdvancedTagClouds()
     {
-        $view = Piwik_ViewDataTable::factory('cloud');
-        $view->init($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, 'ExampleUI.getPlanetRatiosWithLogos');
-        $view->setDisplayLogoInTagCloud(true);
-        $view->disableFooterExceptExportIcons();
-        $view->setColumnsToDisplay(array('label', 'value'));
-        $view->setColumnTranslation('value', "times the diameter of Earth");
-        $this->renderView($view);
+        $view = Piwik_ViewDataTable::factory(
+            'cloud', 'ExampleUI.getPlanetRatiosWithLogos', $controllerAction = 'ExampleUI.echoAdvancedTagClouds');
+        $view->display_logo_instead_of_label = true;
+        $view->columns_to_display = array('label', 'value');
+        $view->translations['value'] = "times the diameter of Earth";
+        echo $view->render();
     }
 
-    function sparklines()
+    public function sparklines()
     {
         $view = new Piwik_View('@ExampleUI/sparklines');
         $view->urlSparkline1 = $this->getUrlSparkline('generateSparkline', array('server' => 'server1', 'rand' => mt_rand()));
@@ -110,13 +109,17 @@ function sparklines()
         echo $view->render();
     }
 
-    function generateSparkline()
+    public function generateSparkline()
     {
-        $serverRequested = Piwik_Common::getRequestVar('server', '');
-        $view = Piwik_ViewDataTable::factory('sparkline');
-        $view->init($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, 'ExampleUI.getTemperaturesEvolution');
-        $view->setColumnsToDisplay($serverRequested);
-        $this->renderView($view);
+        $view = Piwik_ViewDataTable::factory(
+            'sparkline', 'ExampleUI.getTemperaturesEvolution', $controllerAction = 'ExampleUI.generateSparkline');
+
+        $serverRequested = Piwik_Common::getRequestVar('server', false);
+        if ($serverRequested !== false) {
+            $view->columns_to_display = array($serverRequested);
+        }
+        
+        echo $view->render();
     }
 
     // Example use
diff --git a/plugins/Goals/Controller.php b/plugins/Goals/Controller.php
index 9396b5f0b24..cf02a7430c9 100644
--- a/plugins/Goals/Controller.php
+++ b/plugins/Goals/Controller.php
@@ -450,26 +450,26 @@ private function getGoalReportsByDimensionTable($conversions, $ecommerce = false
 
     public function getItemsSku($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
     
     public function getItemsName($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getItemsCategory($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getVisitsUntilConversion($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getDaysToConversion($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 }
diff --git a/plugins/Live/Controller.php b/plugins/Live/Controller.php
index 2c7b9c036ee..06a9570e67d 100644
--- a/plugins/Live/Controller.php
+++ b/plugins/Live/Controller.php
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ public function indexVisitorLog()
 
     public function getLastVisitsDetails($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/plugins/Provider/Controller.php b/plugins/Provider/Controller.php
index cd06ea0f007..4644a9294f2 100644
--- a/plugins/Provider/Controller.php
+++ b/plugins/Provider/Controller.php
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ class Piwik_Provider_Controller extends Piwik_Controller
      */
     public function getProvider($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/plugins/Referers/Controller.php b/plugins/Referers/Controller.php
index 6193b54d637..4d1ac181f21 100644
--- a/plugins/Referers/Controller.php
+++ b/plugins/Referers/Controller.php
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ public function getSearchEnginesAndKeywords()
 
     public function getRefererType($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -141,27 +141,27 @@ public function getRefererType($fetch = false)
      */
     public function getAll($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getKeywords($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getSearchEnginesFromKeywordId($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getSearchEngines($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getKeywordsFromSearchEngineId($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function indexWebsites($fetch = false)
@@ -178,17 +178,17 @@ public function indexWebsites($fetch = false)
 
     public function getWebsites($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getSocials($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getUrlsForSocial($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function indexCampaigns($fetch = false)
@@ -200,17 +200,17 @@ public function indexCampaigns($fetch = false)
 
     public function getCampaigns($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getKeywordsFromCampaignId($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getUrlsFromWebsiteId($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     protected function getReferersVisitorsByType($date = false)
diff --git a/plugins/UserCountry/Controller.php b/plugins/UserCountry/Controller.php
index 12b43b77be3..d5a456c668a 100644
--- a/plugins/UserCountry/Controller.php
+++ b/plugins/UserCountry/Controller.php
@@ -312,12 +312,12 @@ public function getLocationUsingProvider()
 
     public function getCountry($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getContinent($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ public function getContinent($fetch = false)
      */
     public function getRegion($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ public function getRegion($fetch = false)
      */
     public function getCity($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getNumberOfDistinctCountries($fetch = false)
diff --git a/plugins/UserSettings/Controller.php b/plugins/UserSettings/Controller.php
index 515eacf118d..506938c19cc 100644
--- a/plugins/UserSettings/Controller.php
+++ b/plugins/UserSettings/Controller.php
@@ -33,56 +33,56 @@ public function index()
     
     public function getResolution($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
     
     public function getConfiguration($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getOS($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getOSFamily($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getMobileVsDesktop($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getBrowserVersion($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getBrowser($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getBrowserType($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getWideScreen($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getPlugin($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getLanguage($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 }
diff --git a/plugins/VisitTime/Controller.php b/plugins/VisitTime/Controller.php
index 600262625cc..89f6c0050d0 100644
--- a/plugins/VisitTime/Controller.php
+++ b/plugins/VisitTime/Controller.php
@@ -25,16 +25,16 @@ public function index()
 
     public function getVisitInformationPerServerTime($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getVisitInformationPerLocalTime($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getByDayOfWeek($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 }
diff --git a/plugins/VisitTime/VisitTime.php b/plugins/VisitTime/VisitTime.php
index 11cebd6c413..c325250873c 100644
--- a/plugins/VisitTime/VisitTime.php
+++ b/plugins/VisitTime/VisitTime.php
@@ -178,12 +178,16 @@ public function archiveDay(Piwik_ArchiveProcessor_Day $archiveProcessor)
     private static function getDateRangeForFooterMessage()
     {
         // get query params
-        $idSite = Piwik_Common::getRequestVar('idSite');
-        $date = Piwik_Common::getRequestVar('date');
-        $period = Piwik_Common::getRequestVar('period');
+        $idSite = Piwik_Common::getRequestVar('idSite', false);
+        $date = Piwik_Common::getRequestVar('date', false);
+        $period = Piwik_Common::getRequestVar('period', false);
 
         // create a period instance
-        $oPeriod = Piwik_Period::makePeriodFromQueryParams(Piwik_Site::getTimezoneFor($idSite), $period, $date);
+        try {
+            $oPeriod = Piwik_Period::makePeriodFromQueryParams(Piwik_Site::getTimezoneFor($idSite), $period, $date);
+        } catch (Exception $ex) {
+            return ''; // if query params are incorrect, forget about the footer message
+        }
 
         // set the footer message using the period start & end date
         $start = $oPeriod->getDateStart()->toString();
diff --git a/plugins/VisitorInterest/Controller.php b/plugins/VisitorInterest/Controller.php
index 588b98b7fc0..ac20678a035 100644
--- a/plugins/VisitorInterest/Controller.php
+++ b/plugins/VisitorInterest/Controller.php
@@ -26,12 +26,12 @@ public function index()
 
     public function getNumberOfVisitsPerVisitDuration($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     public function getNumberOfVisitsPerPage($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ public function getNumberOfVisitsPerPage($fetch = false)
      */
     public function getNumberOfVisitsByVisitCount($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -55,6 +55,6 @@ public function getNumberOfVisitsByVisitCount($fetch = false)
      */
     public function getNumberOfVisitsByDaysSinceLast($fetch = false)
     {
-        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::render($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
+        return Piwik_ViewDataTable::renderReport($this->pluginName, __FUNCTION__, $fetch);
     }
 }