Replacing a Data Source


More than one data source may have been used to build a data table. You can replace an individual data source in the source view of the expanded data panel, provided that the data table is linked and not top-level embedded.

Note: You cannot replace an external data source, nor can you change the type of data from imported (in-memory) data to external data (in-db). If such a change is necessary, you must replace the entire data table instead.

When you replace a data source (e.g., from a file data source to an imported data connection), the data loading behavior will be switched to the default setting for the selected type of source. For example, if the old data was stored file data and the new data source is a password protected file, then the new data loading will default to 'Always new data'. In most cases, the data loading behavior can be changed by clicking on the bottom part of the source node in the source view, should the new default not be what you wanted.

  1. In the Data panel, make sure the data table with the data source to replace is selected.

  2. Comment: This step is only applicable if you have two or more data tables in the analysis. If this is the case, select the data table of interest from the drop-down list at the top of the Data panel, otherwise, go to step 2.

  3. Click on the Expand data panel for tools and details button, data_expand_data_panel_for_tools_and_details_i.png.

  4. In the expanded data panel, click Source view.

  5. Comment: You may need to first click the Go to data table view link to be able to see the Source view button.

  6. In the Source view, click on the node for the data source to replace.
    data_clicked_on_data_source_node.png

  7. Response: Details about the selected node are shown in the bottom left part of the source view.

  8. Click on the menu and select Replace data source.
    data_existing_transformations_replace_data_source.png

  9. In the Replace Data Source dialog, click Select and choose a new data source.

  10. Click OK.

  11. Response:  If the new data table contains columns that match the columns in the old data table completely, the analysis is immediately updated to use the new data. However, if some columns used in the analysis could not be replaced automatically by columns in the new data table, you will be presented with the Replace Data – Match Columns dialog. Here, you can match columns from the current data table with columns from the new data table. If there are missing columns remaining after you have matched columns, the Replace Data – Missing Columns dialog is shown. The dialog will state all mismatches that still occur. Make a note of these and click Close. The data is replaced, but you may need to make some manual fixes to make sure all visualizations are displayed as you intended.

  12. If necessary, update any transformations, visualizations, calculations, or hierarchies that were broken when the data was replaced.

  13. If desired, modify the data loading behavior for the new source.

See also:

Replacing a Data Table

Transforming Data

Existing Transformations

Embedded or Linked Data?

Replacing Data Overview