Before You Begin

This 15-minute tutorial shows you how to output multiple datasets from a data flow, add columns, and execute a data flow sequence. You also use the datasets output from executing the sequence to create analyses to verify that your results.

Background

In a data flow, you can add a branch to any node, except the train machine learning model node, to output multiple datasets from a single data flow. You can apply different transformations on each branch to create unique datasets.

In this tutorial, you create a sequence to execute multiple data flows using a specific order in a transaction.

You also create visualizations to verify your results.

This is the third tutorial in the Prepare and Analyze Data in Oracle Analytics series. Read the tutorials in the order listed.

What Do You Need?

  • Access to Oracle Analytics
  • Access to the Donations by School dataset

Create Multiple Datasets

In this section, you create a data flow that has a branch step so that when the data flow is executed, you have two distinct datasets.

  1. Sign in to Oracle Analytics.
  2. On the Home page, click Create, and then click Data Flow.
  3. In Add Dataset, click Donations by School, and then click Add.
  4. In data flow steps, double-click Branch.


    The Branch step adds two Save Data steps to the data flow.

    Description of branch_step.png follows
    Description of the illustration branch_step.png
  5. Click Add a step Add a step icon on the branch before the first Save Data step, and then select Select Columns. In Select Columns, click Remove all.
  6. Hold down the Ctrl key, and select PRIMARY_FOCUS_SUBJECT, Donation by Population, Average School Donation by Income, and then click Add Selected.


    Description of selected_columns.png follows
    Description of the illustration selected_columns.png
  7. Click Add a step Add a step icon between Select Columns and Save Data, and then click Aggregate. In Aggregate, select Average from the Function list in both rows.


    Description of aggregate_step.png follows
    Description of the illustration aggregate_step.png
  8. Click Save Data on the first branch. In Save Dataset, enter Donations by Primary Subject Area in Name. In the Save data to field, select Dataset Storage to save the data in Oracle Analytics.


    Description of primary_subject_ds.png follows
    Description of the illustration primary_subject_ds.png

Define the Second Branch

  1. In the data flow, click Add a step Add a step icon on the second branch, and then click Select Columns. In Select Columns, click Remove all.
  2. Hold down the Ctrl key, select SCH_STATE, Donation by Population, Average School Donation by Income, and then click Add Selected.
  3. Click Add a step Add a step icon on the Select Columns node, and select Aggregate. In Aggregate, select Average from Function in both rows.


    Description of donations_by_state.png follows
    Description of the illustration donations_by_state.png
  4. Click Save Data on the second branch. In Save Dataset, enter Donations by State in Name. In the Save data to field, select Dataset Storage.
  5. Click Save Save icon. In Save Data Flow As, enter Aggregate Donations and click OK.
  6. Click Run Data Flow. After the data flow completed message appears, click Go back Back icon.

Inspect the Datasets

  1. On the Home page, search for the Donations by Primary Subject Area dataset. Select the Donations by Primary Subject Area dataset, click the Actions Actions menu icon, and then select Inspect.
  2. In the Donations by Primary Subject Area dataset, click Data Elements to view the columns, and then click Close.
  3. On the Home page, search for or select the Donations by State dataset. Select the Donations by State dataset, click the Actions Actions Menu icon, and then select Inspect.
  4. In the Donations by State dataset, click Data Elements to view the columns, and then click Close.

Create a Data Flow Execution Sequence

When you use dynamic data sources the data flows in the sequence, you can create a schedule to run the sequence.

  1. On the Home page, click Create, and then click Sequence.
  2. In the Data Flows panel, drag School Donations to Selections.
  3. Drag and drop Aggregate Donations, under School Donations in the Selections list.


    Description of df_sequence.png follows
    Description of the illustration df_sequence.png
  4. Click Save Save icon. In Save Sequence As, enter Donations Sequence in Name, and then click OK. Click Execute Sequence Execute Sequence icon.
  5. Click Go back Back icon. On the Home page, enter Donations and click Search to view Donations Sequence and its output.


    Description of sequence_run_results.png follows
    Description of the illustration sequence_run_results.png

Create Visualizations

  1. On the Home page, select Donations by Primary Subject Area dataset, click the Actions Actions Menu icon, and then select Create Workbook.
  2. In the Data Elements pane, hold down the Ctrl key, and then select the following:
    • PRIMARY_FOCUS_SUBJECT
    • Donation by Population Average
    • Average School Donation by Income Average
  3. Drag the data elements to the canvas.


    Description of primary_subject_viz.png follows
    Description of the illustration primary_subject_viz.png
  4. Click Go back Back icon.
  5. On the Home page, select the Donations by State dataset, click the Actions Actions Menu icon, and then select Create Workbook.
  6. In the Data Elements pane, hold down the Ctrl key, and then select the following:
    • SCH_STATE
    • Donation by Population Average
    • Average School Donation by Income Average
  7. Drag the data elements to the canvas.


    Description of donations_by_state_viz.png follows
    Description of the illustration donations_by_state_viz.png

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