Metadata Management via Files
The image above illustrates the process flow of a business glossary, outlining the entire sequence from selecting the object type to downloading the template type to the local system, updating metadata, uploading the template back to the application, and loading the metadata.
Download Template
Within the Advanced Tools > Load Metadata from Files, users can choose the specific object type for which they want to update metadata and download templates to their local devices for editing or updating metadata.
Template Structure
The templates comprise three sheets: Guidelines, Configurations, and Metadata Template.
Guidelines
Each template comes with its own set of guidelines, which offer detailed explanations of each attribute or field. These guidelines outline what each attribute is for and describe the actions that can be carried out. Refer to the below table for more details on each template guide lines.
Table Columns
File Columns
Report Columns
Datasets
API Attributes
Custom Fields
Tags Open
Tags Secure
Business Glossary
Domains
Column Relationships
Impact Analysis
Lineage
Data Quality Rules
Data Quality Function
Dataset Correction
Configure Attribute Settings
Templates related to Data Catalog, Business Glossary, Tags, and Data Quality come with a configuration settings sheet named “Load Metadata Configuration.” It allows users to control the behaviour of tags, terms, business descriptions, technical descriptions, and custom fields within the respective object template. Each of these attributes is provided with different options, such as Append, Replace, Update, and Ignore if Empty, based on the attribute type.
The attributes listed below come with configurable options and their corresponding effects:
tags.update.action
Set to Append: To create new tags, especially in scenarios where the creation of new tags is necessary. Enter the tag names separated by commas.
Set to Replace: To substitute the existing tags associated with the data objects with the currently entered tag details. Users can enter multiple tag names separated by commas.
Set to No Action: Use this option to keep the existing Tag associations intact without introducing any modifications. Used in scenarios where changes to the tags can be disregarded.
Append
term.update.action
Set to Append: To create new terms, especially in scenarios where the creation of new terms is necessary. Enter the term names separated by commas.
Set to Update: To substitute the existing terms associated with the data objects with the currently entered term details. Users can enter multiple tag names separated by commas.
Set to No Action: Use this option to keep the existing Term associations intact without introducing any modifications. Used in scenarios where changes to the terms can be disregarded.
Append
businessdescription.update.action
Update: Activate this setting when changes to descriptions are needed.
Update If Full: Updates the description only if the corresponding entry in the Description Content column is marked as Full (typically indicates shorter content that fits within spreadsheet limits)
Update If Partial: Updates the description only if the entry in the Description Content column is marked as Partial (indicates longer content that may exceed typical spreadsheet cell visibility, marked in red)
No Action: Use this option to keep the existing descriptions as they are, without introducing any modifications. Used in scenarios where changes to the descriptions can be disregarded.
Ignore if empty
technicalDescription.update.action
Ignore if Empty: If this option is selected, leaving descriptions blank will not affect the already existing description.
Update: Activate this setting when changes to descriptions are needed.
Update If Full: Updates the description only if the corresponding entry in the Description Content column is marked as Full (typically indicates shorter content that fits within spreadsheet limits)
Update If Partial: Updates the description only if the entry in the Description Content column is marked as Partial (indicates longer content that may exceed typical spreadsheet cell visibility, marked in red)
No Action: Use this option to keep the existing descriptions as they are, without introducing any modifications. Used in scenarios where changes to the descriptions can be disregarded.
Ignore if empty
description.update.action (For Business Glossary, Tags, and others)
Ignore if Empty: If this option is selected, leaving descriptions blank will not affect the already existing description.
Update: Enable this setting when changes to descriptions are needed.
Update If Full: Updates the description only if the corresponding entry in the Description Content column is marked as Full (typically indicates shorter content that fits within spreadsheet limits)
Update If Partial: Updates the description only if the entry in the Description Content column is marked as Partial (indicates longer content that may exceed typical spreadsheet cell visibility, marked in red)
No Action: Use this option to keep the existing descriptions as they are, without introducing any modifications. Used in scenarios where changes to the descriptions can be disregarded.
Ignore if empty
Custom Fields Configurations
Update: The custom field will be updated with the given value.
Ignore if empty: The custom field will not be updated with an empty or blank value.
No Action: The custom field will not be updated.
Ignore if empty
ovaledge.concat.delimeter (Delimiter)
It allows users to specify the delimiter used to join multiple values into a single field.
Comma
delete.action (For Tags only)
Delete Tag: Deletes only the tag.
Delete Tag and its Child Tags: Deletes the tag and all its child tags.
Remove Associated Resources: Deletes resources linked to the tag.
No Action: No tags or resources are deleted.
No Action
Edit Metadata
Users can update metadata details using the object sheet within the template, following the guidelines and configuration sheet. It's crucial for users to ensure that each action setting is appropriately configured, whether it involves Add/Modify/Delete/No Action. A detailed explanation of each attribute of all the templates can be accessed through the following LMDF Guidelines section.
Upload Template
To update the metadata details in the application, the template is uploaded back to the application.
Guidelines for Uploading Load Metadata from Files Templates
Guidelines for Uploading Load Metadata from Files Templates
Security Note: The Object Security applied to all object types is bypassed in the Load Metadata from Files template. Any Author user with access to this tool through Application Security can modify object metadata using the templates.
File Naming: You can rename the template file as per your business needs.
Template Format: Ensure the template format is not altered. Adding or removing columns or sheets will cause upload errors.
Configuration Sheet: Verify that all required attributes are properly configured in the configuration sheet before uploading.
Sheet Integrity: It is not advisable to delete any sheets from the template prior to upload.
Upload Order: When templates contain multiple sheets, uploads are processed sheet-wise from the first to the last, such as in the Business Glossary or Tags templates.
Post-Upload Logs: After a successful upload, users can download the processed template from Job Logs in the Jobs module or System Alerts in Inbox under My Profile. The template includes:
Action Status: Indicates whether the action was successful or failed.
Action Success Message: Details the log for successful actions.
Action Failure Message: Provides reasons for any failed actions.
Success/ Failure Notification
Once the template is uploaded to the application, users will receive a notification in My Profile > Inbox > System Alerts. This notification contains a link to the template. By clicking the link, users can download and access the status of each updated line item in the template, including the action status, action status message, and action failure message.
Action Status: Indicates the Success/Failure status for Action (Add or Modify).
Action Success Message: This field provides the detailed job log corresponding to the successful completion of the respective action.
Action Failure Message: In the event that the action fails to be completed, this section provides a detailed job log that explains the reasons behind the failure.
Users can access detailed job logs by navigating to the Jobs module from the left panel menu. Within the job logs, the template's upload status (success, failure, or other) is indicated.
Click the eye icon to view detailed logs. Additionally, a link is provided to access the status of each updated line item in the template, including the action status, action status message, and action failure message.
Validate Metadata
In the respective object grid view or summary pages, users can check whether the metadata changes have been reflected in the application.
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