Creating a Model from a File
You can import data from an external file, such as an Excel spreadsheet or comma-separated-values file, into a new model. The data columns in the source file are used to create dimensions in the model.
Context
First, the source data is analyzed, and then the data is shown with proposed dimensions for the new model. You then refine the proposal by specifying dimension types and fixing any data-quality problems.
The workflow to create a new model from a file is:
- Import a source file.
- Choose dimension types for the dimensions in your new model.
- Specify attributes for the dimensions.
- Cleanse your data and fix any mapping or data quality problems.
Data files can be in your local file system or in your network. The source data can be an Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx) or a delimited text file (.csv or .txt). If you import data from Microsoft Excel, and if the data is saved in separate sheets in the Excel workbook, either you can choose which sheet to import (if from a local file system) or the first sheet is automatically imported (from a network file).
The source data must include columns that can be used to create dimensions in a new model, and it must also include transactional data (measures). (The transactional data is visible in the Data Foundation view, which shows you the fact table containing the raw, unaggregated transactional data loaded into your model. For details, see Introduction to the Modeler.)
The data will typically include details for the main account. You can identify which dimension is the main account during the import process, but if no account data is found, an account dimension will be generated automatically.
In addition to the main dimensions and transactional data, the source can also include attributes for dimensions; that is, text information such as hierarchy information or other properties.
Procedure
Next Steps
After the initial import of raw data, continue with the data preparation task before completing your model: Preparing Data.