The Properties panel displays the properties of the currently selected data flow node. The options shown in the panel depend on the type of node that is selected. For instance, if you click on a Source node, you'll be able to connect to a data source; if you click on a Python node, you'll be able to configure a Python script.
All nodes that you add to the Data Flow must be configured from the Properties panel.
Data Source
When a data source node is selected, the Properties panel is used to connect to a database, file, or URL (depending on the source type). Once you've connected to the source, the Properties panel will display the source's tables.
Select whichever tables should be added to the data flow, either as Table or Tables nodes.
A description may be added below.
Table and Tables Nodes
Tables are added to the data flow as Table or Tables nodes. (Tables nodes are sometimes also called multi-table or multi-select nodes.)
Table Nodes
When a Table node is selected on the canvas, the Properties panel displays the following:
- Result Properties: the name that will be given to the table in the new data model; you can change the table name here if required.
- Table: the table that is represented by the node. Select a different table from the drop-down to change the table selection.
- Filters*: query conditions that filter the selection criteria "inline." This limits the query results, avoiding filtering after the query has been run. Each query condition is created by selecting a column name and creating a comparison between it and another column, variable, or value.
- Column Selection: the columns in the table. Clear the checkbox (deselect) for any columns you don't want to copy into the new model. Hover your cursor over the icon (red highlight above) to view the full data type details as a tooltip.
- Set Variable Values: create variables to enable incremental loading when the data model is reprocessed later. Click here to learn more.
- Metadata: add a description.
- Click here to learn more about Table Properties.
Tables Nodes
When a Tables node (also known as a multi-table or multi-select node) is selected on the canvas, the Properties panel displays the following:
- Result Properties: lists the table names that will be given to each table in the new data model; you can change the table names here if required.
- Filters*: applies an inline filter that will be applied to each table in the new data mode. Select column names and criteria to be used for the filter.
- Tables: lists all the tables represented by Tables node; deselect any tables that you don't want copied into the new data model.
- Metadata: add a description.
- Click here to learn more about Tables Properties.
* The Filters panels are not shown if the data source is one of the file sources (for example, if your data source is Excel).
Targets
When the target node is selected, the Properties panel is used to select or create the database where the new data model will be stored.
The panel also displays a list of tables that will be copied from the data source to the new model; you can determine whether the table should be erased and replaced, or new rows appended when the model is re-processed.
- Click here to learn more about Targets.
Other Nodes
All other nodes also require configuration in the Properties panel. Depending on the node, this configuration may be simple - as with the Sort node, for instance - or it may be more intricate - as with configuring a Machine Learning node.
For details on setting the properties of other nodes, refer to the relevant articles.