# Profiling

Profiling generates statistical insights about data objects such as tables or files from a data source. These insights include row count, top values, number of nulls, distinct values, minimum and maximum values, etc.

Profiling analyzes and compares these statistics before using them for data quality assessment, data understanding, analysis, and reporting, etc.

{% hint style="info" %}
Profiling requires metadata to be collected first through crawling.
{% endhint %}

Profiling works at both the table and column levels. Use table-level profiling to profile specific tables and avoid profiling the entire data source, which helps reduce system load.

The profile status appears at the column level as well. This gives a more accurate view, especially when individual columns are excluded from profiling using regex.

To profile a table, go to the Table Summary page > click the nine dots menu, and select the Profile option.

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcEYYLByt2fyvtd-EWmQUrY1Av3jyr7DVBjAydJ84vnkf4XVajCNpMkCuA2gMo5EbjKtregH0CJgkwcBi5lL1p_Ph40lHgOfvEQFEKiBoC1VoNVhBckQN77LYZ7dkXGFvRuDhlDIg?key=kU5fqtI4eAzquyCyuBsp-g" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Profiling gathers the following statistics:

* Top Values (Table Values)
* Row Count for tables
* Null Count for columns
* Distinct Count for columns
* Min Value for columns
* Max Value for columns
* Top 50 values (Column Values)

In this example, the SQL Server data source is used to fetch product information statistics.

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXe9FDrTVZl1guvXgAAJALmeXpMv145ewb9L-YKJ2r7BXTSnyy2sz4Y1d_RocfGjKIQge3LNIdL2ueseZvUoZ4nBMGO6XrN76yeGkHPI6aaNXOM83QYAtQL48hjL7Ie3fJYmdMW1ww?key=kU5fqtI4eAzquyCyuBsp-g" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

Copyright © 2025, OvalEdge LLC, Peachtree Corners GA USA


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.ovaledge.com/release8.1/connectors/introduction-to-connectors/connector-features/profiling.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.