Data Input

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The Data Input transform lets you reference a warehouse data storage area containing user input data. 

You can use the Data Input transform to add and modify data from inside Dundas BI. You can input data yourself, or set up a data input interaction for viewers to add to it.

1. Input

Input into the Data Input transform is done manually after the transform has been configured. It does not require another transform for input and generates output based on user-provided data.

2. Add the transform

When creating a new data cube, you can add the Data Input transform to an empty canvas from the toolbar.

Add the Data Input transform from the toolbar
Add the Data Input transform from the toolbar

The Data Input transform is added to the data cube and connected to a Process Result transform automatically.

The Data Input transform is added
The Data Input transform is added

You can also add the Data Input transform from the toolbar to an existing data cube process. A typical example is to connect the Data Input transform to a Union transform that merges data from multiple inputs.

Merging Data Input output with other data using a Union transform
Merging Data Input output with other data using a Union transform

3. Configure the transform

Double click the Data Input transform, or select or right-click it and choose the Configure option in the toolbar or its right-click menu.

The Data Input transform has six automatically created and populated columns. By default, these columns are not selected to be included in the output:

  • RecordID
  • RecordSequence
  • CreatedBy
  • CreatedTime
  • LastModifiedBy
  • LastModifiedTime

In the configuration dialog for the transform, the key task is to add new columns that will contain the input data. Click Add Column and complete the Data Input Column dialog.

Configure the transform by adding the required columns
Configure the transform by adding the required columns

4. Output

The output is user-input data, which you can both view and edit by selecting the Data Input transform and opening the Data Preview window.

When entering data, type Enter to create or move to the next row, and Tab to create or move to the next cell.

You can right-click a cell to insert a row or create a new column, or move the mouse and click the + icon when it appears where you want to add a row or column.

Insert rows and create columns using the context menu
Insert rows and create columns using the context menu

5. Notes

  • Deleting a column from the Data Input transform is postponed until after you check in. This means you will be unable to create a column with the same title as the deleted one until you check in and check out the transform.
  • Changes to rows of data are not affected by check in or check out states, as viewers or end users can be allowed to make changes. Undo Check Out does not change or remove data.
  • Users require the Data Input privilege to be able to input data.

6. See also

Dundas Data Visualization, Inc.
400-15 Gervais Drive
Toronto, ON, Canada
M3C 1Y8

North America: 1.800.463.1492
International: 1.416.467.5100

Dundas Support Hours:
Phone: 9am-6pm, ET, Mon-Fri
Email: 7am-6pm, ET, Mon-Fri