Source

Overview

Source in the dataflow diagram represents an input object supplied by a connector. It shows where external data enters the model and how that data can feed imports, exports, transformations, references, and downstream warehouse objects.

Function

A source object appears as a selectable label on the dataflow diagram. Users can focus it in the navigation tree, use it as a diagram filter, preview its data, refresh its structure, open its reference diagram, or start related import and export work from the same context.

Double-clicking a source opens the source editor. The editor maintains the source name, schema, connector, group, type, friendly name, description, path, query, directory options, and column definition. File-based sources also expose CSV and directory settings, while query-based sources use the Query tab.

Refresh actions compare the source definition with the connected data provider and can update columns, keys, descriptions, imported-table metadata, and source references. This keeps the diagram and the source editor aligned with the external structure used by the model.

Access

Sources can be listed from the Sources toolbar tab, managed from the Sources branch in the navigation tree, and opened directly from a visible source label on the dataflow diagram. The diagram canvas also supports adding a new data source from the Add menu.

How to access

Navigation tree

Sources -> connector -> Sources -> source

Toolbar

Sources -> Sources

Diagram

Source label context menu, source label double-click, or diagram canvas Add -> Data source

Visual element

Source object on the dataflow diagram and the source editor

Screen overview

User Interface - Dataflow diagram - Source screen overview

Context Menu

ID	Command	Description
1	Locate in tree	Locates the selected source object in the navigation tree.
2	Set filter	Sets the selected source object as the current filter for the flow diagram.
3	Add to filter	Adds the selected source object to the current diagram filter.
4	Refresh	Refreshes the selected source object in the flow diagram.
5	Add	Opens the submenu containing the available options for adding a related object.
6	Delete	Deletes the selected source object.
7	References	Opens the submenu containing reference-related options for the selected source object.
8	Locks	Opens the submenu containing lock-related options for the selected source object.
9	Object groups	Opens options for managing the object groups associated with the selected source object.
10	Preview data	Opens a preview of the data returned by the selected source object.
11	Refresh source	Refreshes the selected source definition from its connected data provider.
12	Customize colors	Opens the submenu for customizing the display colors of the selected source object.

Sub menus

ID	Submenu group	Description
A	Add	Contains the available options for adding an object related to the selected source object.
B	References	Contains options for viewing or managing references associated with the selected source object.
C	Locks	Contains options for locking the selected source object.
D	Customize colors	Contains options for customizing the colors used to display the selected source object.

A) Add Submenu

ID	Command	Description
1	Data source	Opens options for adding a data source.
2	Import	Opens options for adding an import object.
3	Transformation	Opens options for adding a transformation object.
4	Export	Opens options for adding an export object.
5	Calendar dimension	Opens options for adding a calendar dimension.
6	Time dimension	Opens options for adding a time dimension.
7	Snapshot dimension	Opens options for adding a snapshot dimension.

B) References Submenu

ID	Command	Description
1	Show reference diagram (active)	Shows active reference diagrams associated with the selected source object.
2	Show reference diagram (inactive)	Shows inactive reference diagrams associated with the selected source object.
3	Show reference diagram (all)	Shows all reference diagrams associated with the selected source object.
4	List references	Lists references associated with the selected source object.
5	Add reference	Adds a reference to the selected source object.
6	Start reference	Starts creating a reference from the selected source object.

C) Locks Submenu

ID	Command	Description
1	Lock object	Locks the selected source object.

D) Customize colors Submenu

ID	Command	Description
1	Background Color	Changes the background color of the selected source object.
2	Foreground Color	Changes the foreground color of the selected source object.