Defining table columns
To automate defining the structure of a target data table, extract the data from a source data file, using Get columns. During extraction, Get columns adds column type and index information to each data element. You must review and edit, as necessary, the type and index information for every column. Consider removing the index from every column not strictly requiring an index. Removing unnecessary indexes speeds data load and analysis processes, but may limit performing aggregation and link operations. These operations require indexed columns.
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Choose View to see the data in the file and check the connectivity to the file.
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Choose Get columns to get the column names and type automatically from the source file.
To create a target data table manually, define each column using the New, Edit, Remove, and Duplicate options. While you edit the structure of a target data table, use Get columns to retrieve existing column information, then use Edit to make modifications. To create a new column, choose New, then provide information using Column Declaration, as shown in Figure 3-23.
Figure 3-23  
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Enter the name of the column.
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Enter a description of the column.
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Enter the data type. The supported data types are described in Table 3-4.
Table 3-4  
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The size of the column in characters, or digits.
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The format of the columns of type Date, Datetime, and Time.
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The number of digits to the right of the decimal point, or comma. Applies for data of type Real.
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You can choose Point or Comma to visualize a decimal separator. Applies for data of type Real.
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Indicates if the column is an index.
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Select Skip to exclude a new column from the load process.
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Opens the Table Declaration editor for a single column.
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Removes a column from the target table.
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Creates a new column by copying the properties of an existing column.

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Copyright Actuate Corporation 2013 BIRT Analytics 4.2