Loading data with the data load script

Qlik Sense uses a data load script, which is managed in the data load editor, to connect to and retrieve data from various data sources. In the script, the fields and tables to load are specified. It is also possible to manipulate the data structure by using script statements and expressions. It is also possible to load data into Qlik Sense using the data manager, but when you want to create, edit and run a data load script you use the data load editor.

During the data load, Qlik Sense identifies common fields from different tables (key fields) to associate the data. The resulting data structure of the data in the app can be monitored in the data model viewer. Changes to the data structure can be achieved by renaming fields to obtain different associations between tables.

After the data has been loaded into Qlik Sense, it is stored in the app. The app is the heart of the program's functionality and it is characterized by the unrestricted manner in which data is associated, its large number of possible dimensions, its speed of analysis and its compact size. The app is held in RAM when it is open.

See: Using the data load editor

See: Understanding script syntax and data structures

See: Guidelines for data and fields

Analysis in Qlik Sense always happens while the app is not directly connected to its data sources. So, to refresh the data, you need to run the script to reload the data.

Interaction between Data manager and the data load script

When you add data tables in the Data manager, data load script code is generated. You can view the script code in the Auto-generated section of the data load editor. You can also choose to unlock and edit the generated script code, but if you do, the data tables will no longer be managed in the Data manager.

By default, data tables defined in the load script are not managed in Data manager. That is, you can see the tables in the data overview, but you cannot delete or edit the tables in Data manager, and association recommendations are not provided for tables loaded with the script. If you synchronize your scripted tables with Data manager, however, your scripted tables are added as managed scripted tables to Data manager.

See: Synchronizing scripted tables in Data manager

You can add script sections and develop code that enhances and interacts with the data model created in Data manager, but there are some areas where you need to be careful. The script code you write can interfere with the Data manager data model, and create problems in some cases, for example:

• Renaming or dropping tables added with Data manager in the script.
• Dropping fields from tables added with Data manager.
• Concatenation between tables added with Data manager and tables loaded in the script.
• Using the Qualify statement with fields in tables added with Data manager.
• Loading tables added with Data manager using Resident in the script.
• Adding script code after the generated code section. The resulting changes in the data model are not reflected in Data manager.

See: Edit the data load script