Creating and Managing Data Sets

The queries used to drive dashboard visualizations are data sets. You can create data sets for a single visualization or multiple data sets that you can use in other visualizations. To build some visualizations, you’ll need to create more than one data set. Each data set is a query, and you can combine them to create more complex queries.

Create a Data Set

Syncari walks you through the steps to create a data set using a three-step wizard:

• Use the Describe Data set step for the name, description, and tags.
• Use the Configure data step to select the fields that make up the data set and perform various operations on them like grouping, sorting, and filtering.
• Use the Preview step to see your data. The Preview also shows links to data cards that the data set is used in.

To create a data set:

1. Create or open a draft dashboard. See Creating and Managing Dashboards for details.

2. Click the Data Sets tab and drag a data set to the canvas. You can also click New on the Data Sets tab.

   

3. Complete the Describe Data set step in the Add a Data set wizard, and then click Next.
   Display name—Enter a descriptive name of the data set.
   API name—Syncari generates the API name based on the Display Name. You cannot change the API name.
   Description—Enter an optional description of the data set. The description appears in the Data Sets panel when you hover over the data set.
   Tags—Enter tags one at a time and press enter after each tag name.

4. On the Configure data page, in the Select data list, choose one or more entities or data sets as the source for your data set.

   

5. Choose the fields to use for the query. You can either select specific fields or use calculated fields.

   • To select fields, expand Select Fields, expand the entity, and choose the fields.

     

   • To create calculated fields, expand Add calculated fields, click Add a new calculated field, select the Function, add Params, and provide a name for the calculated field. When finished, click Add. 
     

6. After you’ve configured the fields in the query, it’s a good idea to look at the query results in the Preview area. The preview shows the first twenty results.
   Click Preview.

   

7. Use the remaining sections to put together your query.

   • Blend data—If you have more than one object in Select data, use Blend data to join records in records in one data set with another.

     

   • Group —Use Group to group rows that have the same values into summary rows, like “find the number of medals won by each country.” If you’re using a calculated field that uses an aggregate functions (like COUNT or SUM), the query requires that you group data.
     To group data, expand Group and click Group data. Drag the fields to reorder the grouping.

     

   • Add filters—Use filters to select only fields that match your query, like “find only gold medals.”
     To add a filter, expand Add filters, select the field to query, add your operator, and then add the value to filter by. Click Add condition to add more filters.

     

   • Sort—Define the sort order of your results in ascending or descending order.
     To sort your results, expand Sort, click Add sort, select the field to sort and whether it should be Ascending or Descending. Adjust the sort order by dragging the fields up or down.
     

   • Set limit—Specify the maximum number of records to return.

     To set a limit, expand Set limit and enter the number of records.

     

   • Variables—You can define variables when you configure calculated fields and filters. Use the Variables section to see the variables in the data set and update their values.

     

8. When finished configuring the query, click Next on the Configure data step.

9. On the Preview step, take a look at your query results. You can navigate back to other pages in the wizard to make adjustments. When you’re satisfied, click Save & Finish.

Edit a Data Set

You can make changes to a data sets basic information, like name and description, or reconfigure the data. The Preview step includes links to data sets, data cards, and dashboards that use the data set so you can see the effects of your changes immediately.

To edit a data set:

1. In a draft dashboard, click open the Data Sets tab.
2. Click the kebab menu  for the data card
3. Select Edit.
   
4. When finished making changes, go to the Preview page.
5. Confirm which data cards will be affected, and then select Save & Finish.