Modifying data sources for Analytics tables

If you have an Analytics table layout that applies to more than one data source you can modify the link between the table layout and the data source. For example, if you define an Analytics table from a file that contains January invoice data, you can use the same table layout for a file containing February invoice data provided that both files have fields that can be read the same way – that is, both files have an identical record structure. When you get the data for February, you can either modify the link to associate the table layout with the new data file, or you can copy the Analytics table for January and then modify the link so that you retain both tables.

You can link a table layout to a new data source if the data source is a delimited text file, a text file with line breaks, or an Analytics data file (.fil).

Note

A table layout and a data file it is associated with must match – that is, the structure of the data in the data file must match the field definitions specified by the table layout. Data structure refers to the data elements (fields) contained in a data file, the number and order of the fields, and the data type and length of the fields. If a table layout and a data file do not match, jumbled or missing data results.

To modify the data source associated with an Analytics table layout:

  • Complete the following steps to re-link a table from the Overview tab in the Navigator:
    • Right-click the table you want to update and select Link to New Source Data.
    • If the Select File Location dialog box is displayed, select the location where the data source is located and click OK.

      You can select Client for a local or network location, or Server and a server profile for a location on an Analytics server.

    • In the Select File dialog box, locate and select the new data source and click Open.
  • Complete the following steps to re-link a table using the Table Layout dialog box:
    • Select Edit > Table Layout.
    • Select the Table Layout Options tab.
    • Click Link to New Source Data .
    • If the Select File Location dialog box is displayed, select the location where the data source is located and click OK.

      You can select Client for a local or network location, or Server and a server profile for a location on an Analytics server.

    • In the Select File dialog box, locate and select the new data source and click Open.