Edit a Hierarchical Data Source

This applies to: Visual Data Discovery

Hierarchical fields are enabled by default at the server level. Work with Technical Support to disable.

You can edit an existing data source to pair a facts table and at least one lookup table to use hierarchical data.

To edit a data source:

  1. Log in as a user with the Administer Sources or Create New Data Sources privilege.

  2. Select the Sources option from the main menu. The Sources page appears.

  3. On the Sources page, select a source to edit. The Source Creation work area opens.

  4. In this example, the existing data entity is the fact table. Select Add to add a data entity to use as a hierarchical lookup table.

    add your hierarchical data entities

  5. Select Add in the Join Definition work area to connect the hierarchy lookup table to the facts table.

  6. If only one hierarchy is used, we recommend you use a left join from a hierarchy lookup table to a facts table.

    define your hierarchical joins

    • Select a left join to preserve the contents and structure of the hierarchical tree, regardless of the contents of the facts table.

    • If you select an inner join, the hierarchy is limited to data in the facts table. This may break your hierarchy structure, separating nested items from parents, making the nest items top-level items.

  7. Select Apply to create the join, then Save Source to save your source.

  8. Next, define a hierarchy field for your data source.