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 they each have at least one field that shares common data, such as date. You can do this even if the datasets are based on record types that do not have predefined relationships in the analytics data source.
For example, assume you want to compare sales rep quotas to their actual sales. In this case, you would create two datasets: one based on the sales (invoiced) record type and the other based on the quota record type. These record types have fields with common data such as date and department, however you cannot join them in a dataset because they do not have predefined relationships in the analytics data source. More importantly, even if you could join them, the one-to-many relationship of sales reps to transactions would produce unwanted data duplication of the results.
This happens because there is no data aggregation in a dataset and all possible results are displayed. This is intentional, since datasets are meant to be used as source data for visualizations such as pivot tables and charts where you can define the aggregation. For more information, see Data Duplication Based on Record Joins.
By contrast, with linked datasets aggregation occurs immediately before your results are generated based on the fields you assign as common keys and how you use them to build your visualization. For example, in the case of sales quotas versus actual sales, you can create a dataset link using the sales rep, accounting period, and posting period fields. Because quotas are created on a monthly basis, if you then use the accounting period field from the quota dataset as a dimension for your pivot table, the results are aggregated at the month level before they are rendered in the visualization.
For more information about linking datasets in SuiteAnalytics Workbook, see the following topics:
-
Data aggregation is not 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.
-
To link datasets in a workbook, you need to define common keys between each dataset as part of a link definition. Common keys need to contain the same values and be of the same data type, however you can use matching fields with different data types if you cast their values using a custom formula field. To learn more about creating links and defining common keys, see Link Datasets in a Workbook.
-
After you link two datasets in a workbook, you can use them to build pivot tables and charts. Table views are currently not supported. For more information, see Create Visualizations Based on Linked Datasets.