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Linking shared data across multiple datasets

When you are creating a dossier, you can:

• Display data from multiple datasets in the same visualization.
• Use a visualization based on one dataset as a filter to update the data displayed in a visualization based on another dataset.
• Group data from one dataset based on an attribute that exists in another dataset.

To achieve any of these goals, you must link the attributes that are shared in common across multiple datasets.

Note: You have one dataset that contains Customer ID, Customer Name, and Profit data, and another dataset that contains Customer ID and Shipping Cost data. You can link the two Customer ID attributes, allowing you to display Customer Name, Profit, and Shipping Cost in one visualization, group Shipping Cost data by Customer Name, etc.

When you import a new dataset directly into a dossier that contains at least one dataset, the new dataset is automatically linked to attributes that already exist in the dossier by default. The attributes that share the same name are then linked.

You can also manually link attributes when you are editing a dossier. Manually linking attributes allows you to link attributes across multiple existing datasets. The attributes that you link to each other should uniquely identify each record, to ensure that the results are calculated accurately. In most cases, an ID attribute can be used to link attributes. The attributes that you link must be the same data type. You can link an attribute to attributes in one or more datasets.

When you link data in one dossier, all other dossiers that contain the linked attributes are automatically updated.

An attribute that is linked across multiple datasets appears with a link icon and appears as one attribute when added to a visualization.

You can choose to unlink attributes that are already linked, if the link is incorrect for your needs. Unlinked attributes with the same name are treated as two separate attributes when they appear in a visualization.

To manually link data in a dossier

1. Open a dossier that contains at least two datasets. You must have write access to the datasets you intend to link.
2. In the Datasets panel, right-click the attribute you want to link and choose Link To Other Dataset. The Link Attributes Dialog opens.

   Note: Linked attributes appear with a Link icon in the Datasets panel.

3. In the first drop-down list, select the attribute to which you are linking the current attribute. You can type the name of an attribute in the field to narrow the list of choices.
4. Click Show Attribute Forms to define the attribute forms on which to base the link.

   Note: At least one of the attribute forms that you link must be the ID attribute form.

5. Select the attribute form to link from the first drop-down list.
6. Select the attribute form to link to from the third drop-down list.
7. To link additional pairs of attributes, click Add a Link and repeat the steps to define a link for each pair.
8. To delete a link, hover over it and click Delete .
9. Click OK . The attributes appear with a Link icon in the Datasets panel.

To manually unlink data in a dossier

1. Open the dossier you want to modify.

   Note: Linked attributes appear with a Link icon in the Datasets panel.

2. Right-click the attribute to unlink and select Unlink.

To manually unlink data while importing data

1. While importing data, open the Preview Dialog to prepare the data.

   Note: Linked attributes appear with a Link icon in the top pane of the Preview dialog.

2. Right-click the attribute to unlink and select Unlink.