Data connections in the data load editor let you save shortcuts to the data sources you commonly use: databases, local files, or remote files.
Data connections lists the connections you have saved in alphabetical order grouped by the spaces to which they belong. You can use the search box to narrow the list down to connections with a certain name or type. You can access Data connections by clicking Data sources.
Creating a new data connection
Do the following:
-
Click Data sources.
- Click Create new connection.
-
Select the type of data source you want to create from the drop-down list.
The settings dialog, specific for the type of data source you selected, opens.
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Enter the data source settings and click Create to create the data connection.
Deleting a data connection
Do the following:
-
Click Data sources.
- Click
on the data connection you want to delete. - Confirm that you want to delete the connection.
The data connection is now deleted.
Editing a data connection
Do the following:
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Click Data sources.
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Under Data connections, select the space containing the data connection you want to edit.
- Click
on the data connection you want to edit. -
Edit the data connection details. Connection details are specific to the type of connection.
You may need to provide the connection's credentials.
The data connection is now updated.
About DataFiles connections
DataFiles connections are automatically created for each space you can access. The connections are available from each space section under Data Connections.
Inserting a connect string
Connect strings are required for most connections. Only folder and web file connections do not require connect strings.
Do the following:
- Click
on the connection for which you want to insert a connect string.
A connect string for the selected data connection is inserted at the current position in the data load editor.
For more information, see Connect.
Selecting data from a data connection
If you want to select data from a data connection to load in your app, do the following:
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Click Data sources.
- Create new connection linking to the data source (if the data connection does not already exist).
-
Select data from the connection.
Referring to a data connection in the script
You can use the data connection to refer to data sources in statements and functions in the script, typically where you want to refer to a file name with a path.
The syntax for referring to a file is [lib://(space_name):(connection_name)/(file_name)]
You do not need to add the space_name if you are connecting to a personal space.
Example: Loading a file from a DataFiles connection
This example loads the file orders.csv from a personal space defined in the Data data connection.
This example loads the file orders.csv from a shared space defined in the Data data connection.
This example loads the file orders.csv from the current space. If the app is moved to another space, for example, it will use the file orders.csv in the new space.
Example: Loading from a database in the current user's personal space
This example loads the table Sales_data from the DataSource database connection in a user's personal space.
Example: Loading from a database in another space
This example loads the table Sales_data from the DataSource database connection in the current space.
Example: Loading from a database in a specific space
This example loads the table Sales_data from the DataSource database connection in the space SalesSpace.