# Non-Physical Data Objects

Non-physical data objects are objects that do not exist in the actual data source or do not contain real data, but are created and managed within the OvalEdge platform to support governance, and lineage building.

## Virtual Objects

Temporary data objects used to govern the request process for new data assets intended for external data pipeline or model construction. This feature enables the creation of a table or a report without including data in the rows or columns. The skeletal structure of the data object is generated and is not accessible in the Data Source. The user can manipulate the object’s metadata within the application by adding relevant descriptions, assigning appropriate tags or terms, and manually constructing lineage.

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeBl_uPpRG3QHVJFrSAurUbKHJ0dXFQA5IO2-Hxd6aIPBGd1ooKA2UpyKT9ovJUrCpOaHnGy5iHmMtaflbFKssJVWCyAbUqDykYhkkYERAFFzzewuCHHrsgzsg4wKFAV2W7PabX4A?key=eh27jyUTYPq1_oVnDl43yA" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To learn more about Virtual Object Creation & Management, please [click here](https://docs.ovaledge.com/data-catalog/virtual-objects).&#x20;

## Manual Objects

Producers (Authors) can add tables and table columns to the Data Catalog using the supported Manual Connector. Manual Objects can be added using the "Manage Tables" icon located in the top right corner of the Data Catalog > Tables page by selecting the "Create" option. Additionally, the Manual Connector connection must be established to view and save the newly created objects to the Manual Connector.

<figure><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcZ-1RcafpGoVuKzMAfZ7QCqBmF5rLUvroIKdPxDJPK5mLElw3MB80hnQcWn_MiKn-1Z_rwauLgrQClR7Hj_gF2Z9l92K5607tenqXIZVvMdSvQnzn3Aak4LEAUmdTrve-_lBmIAw?key=eh27jyUTYPq1_oVnDl43yA" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Temp Objects

Lineage building typically requires the associated objects to display Data Movement.

In the absence of original associated objects, temporary associations are formed to build lineage. These temporary data objects do not contain actual data but help visualize the lineage effectively. The application refers to these temporary data objects as “Temporary Tables.” After crawling the original objects, the temp objects are merged with the original ones.

{% hint style="info" %}
In the "Advanced Tools > Temp Lineage Correction," users can replace temporary data objects with the original ones using the “Merge” option.
{% endhint %}

***

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