Transformation
Overview
A Transformation is an AnalyticsCreator design object that defines how data is selected, joined, calculated, filtered, or prepared for generated output.
It is a configurable class of object with properties and relationships. It is not the internal repository table used to store transformation records.
Function
Use transformations to create reusable data logic inside a schema.
Different transformation types expose different attributes. Depending on type, a transformation can use input tables or sources, SQL or code statements, calculated columns, filters, references, persisted output, model settings, external processing, or union logic.
Types
Transformation type determines the editor sections, attributes, generated output, and available follow-up actions.
| Type | Use |
|---|---|
| Standard transformation | Defines logic through input objects, references, filters, and calculated output columns. |
| SQL or code-based transformation | Defines transformation behavior through a maintained statement or view definition. |
| Model transformation | Represents dimension- or fact-oriented logic that can be used to create or update a model. |
| External transformation | Represents transformation work handled outside the standard generated SQL flow. |
| File-to-table transformation | Loads or prepares file-based data for table-oriented output. |
| Union transformation | Combines compatible input structures into one output. |
Attributes
Attributes define the configuration, behavior, and relationships of the transformation entity.
| Attribute | Applies to | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Name | All transformation types | Technical transformation name. |
| Schema | All transformation types | Schema that contains the transformation. |
| Transformation type | All transformation types | Controls the available settings and generated behavior. |
| Friendly name | Business-facing output | Business name used when the transformation output is exposed. |
| Description | All transformation types | Documents the purpose of the transformation. |
| Input objects | Input-based types | Sources, tables, or transformations used as inputs. |
| References and joins | Relational types | Relationships used to connect input objects. |
| Columns and expressions | Output-producing types | Output columns, calculations, defaults, and semantic metadata. |
| Filter | Filter-capable types | Limits the rows included in the output. |
| Output or persisted table | Materialized types | Table or view generated or maintained from the transformation. |
How it is used in AnalyticsCreator
| Use case | Description |
|---|---|
| Create generated output | Define a view, table-oriented result, or reusable transformation structure. |
| Prepare data for persisting | Provide transformation output that can be stored physically by a persisting package. |
| Create or update models | Use model transformations to create model dimensions and facts. |
| Reuse logic | Reference macros, filters, input tables, and table references. |
| Duplicate and adapt logic | Copy supported transformations and then adjust their inputs or output. |
Relationships
| Related entity | Relationship |
|---|---|
| Schema | A transformation belongs to one schema. |
| Source | A transformation can read from source entities. |
| Table | A transformation can read from or generate table entities. |
| Table reference | A transformation can use table relationships. |
| Macro | A transformation can call reusable macro logic. |
| Package | Persisting, external, script, or workflow packages can include transformation-related work. |
| Model | Model transformations can create or update model dimensions and facts. |
Where to configure
Configure or review this entity from the matching AnalyticsCreator user-interface area.
