Import Data

You can import external data directly for use in creating dashboards and documents. You can import data from many different data sources, such as an Excel file or a database, or by using the results of a custom database query. You can import data into a new dataset or add the data to an existing dataset. You can select multiple tables to create a single, multi-table dataset. These datasets are also known as multi-table data import (MTDI) cubes.

You can import data into the project using Workstation, or directly into a dashboard or document using Library.

Import External Data

1. Open the Workstation page.

2. In the Navigation pane, click Data.

3. On the right, click Create New Dataset.

4. In the Create Dataset window, if you are connected to multiple projects, select the project to add the new dataset to from the Project drop-down list.

5. Click Data Import Cube.

6. In the Data Catalog window, select the type of data source.

7. Import the data.

   • See Importing Data from a File on Your Computer or Network.

   • For steps to use different data sources, see Strategy Data Gateways.

8. After you import the data from the data source, you can modify and refine the data, using the interfaces listed below. You can use the same interfaces to make changes to your data after it has been imported.

   • The Preview Dialog displays a preview of the data before it is imported and allows you to further define the data. You can designate a data column as an attribute or a metric, assign a geo role to a data column to generate additional geographical data, use data columns as attribute forms to define a new multi-form attribute, and so on. You can view the objects in each table.
   • The Parse Your Data Dialog allows you to select whether to import your data in a tabular or cross-tabbed layout. You can also insert column headers into the data, if the file does not provide them.
   • The Data Wrangling Dialog allows you to explore your data to evaluate its quality and usability, and then improve its quality before importing. You can remove white space, filter your data, delete duplicate rows or cells, find and replace data, concatenate columns, etc.
   • The All Objects View Dialog displays all objects in all tables. You can define the data, as in the Preview page, and can also improve performance by partitioning a very large dataset and creating search indexes for attributes.
9. Click Save.