Dataset Linking in SuiteAnalytics Workbook
Watch the following help video for an introduction to dataset linking in SuiteAnalytics Workbook:
You can link two datasets if each one has at least one field with common data, like a date. You can do this even if the datasets are based on record types without predefined relationships in the analytics data source.
For example, let's say you want to compare sales rep quotas to their real sales. You’d create two datasets: one based on the sales (invoiced) record type and the other on the quota record type. These record types have fields like date and department in common, but you can’t join them in a dataset because there are no predefined relationships in the analytics data source. Even if you could join them, the one-to-many relationship between sales reps and transactions would create unwanted duplicate results.
This happens because datasets don’t aggregate data, so you see all possible results. This is intentional—datasets are meant to be source data for visualizations like pivot tables and charts, where you set the aggregation. For more information, see Data Duplication Based on Record Joins.
In contrast, with linked datasets, aggregation happens right before your results are generated, based on the fields you set as common keys and how you use them in your visualization. For example, with sales quotas and real sales, you can link datasets using the sales rep, accounting period, and posting period fields. Since quotas are created monthly, if you use the accounting period from the quota dataset as a pivot table dimension, your results are aggregated by month before showing up in the visualization.
For more information about linking datasets in SuiteAnalytics Workbook, see the following topics:
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Data aggregation isn’t the only difference between linking datasets in a workbook and joining record types in a dataset. To learn more, see Joining Record Types Versus Linking Datasets.
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To link datasets in a workbook, you need to set common keys between each dataset as part of the link definition. Common keys need to have the same values and use the same data type, but you can match fields with different types if you cast their values using a custom formula. To learn more about creating links and defining common keys, see Link Datasets in a Workbook.
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After you link two datasets in a workbook, you can use them to create pivot tables and charts. Table views aren’t supported yet. For more information, see Create Visualizations Based on Linked Datasets.