Create and manage data models (Beta)

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This is a public beta feature that’s subject to quick, iterative changes. As a result, the latest product version may differ from the contents of this document.

Build a data model to create a collection of table and input table elements that you can reference as data sources in workbooks and other data models across your organization. The familiar workbook-style format allows you to easily transform and analyze your data while streamlining data model permissions.

This document explains how to create and manage data models. For information about data model concepts, see Intro to data models.

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Sigma will continue to support the previous datasets version (legacy datasets) until data models are fully developed and can facilitate a seamless transition. For information about legacy datasets, see Intro to the dataset worksheet.

User requirements

The ability to create manage a data model requires the following:

• You must be assigned an account type with the Create, edit, and publish datasets permissions enabled.

• You must be the data model owner or be granted Can edit data model permission.

Create a new data model with reusable elements

1. Go to your Home page.

2. Click Create New and select Data Model from the menu.

   

3. A new data model opens to the workbook page. Use one of the following methods to create a new reusable element:

   • In the Add new element panel, select a table or input table element.

     If you select a table or linked input table, you must also select the element’s data source. This can be data from your CDW or DBMS, a CSV upload, custom SQL, or an existing reusable element from any data model.

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     Future data-level changes applied to the source can be reflected in the data model. Some changes, like filters, are automatically inherited. For other changes, like added or removed columns, Sigma displays a prompt when you reopen the data model workbook page. This allows you to ignore the changes or update the reusable element. Display-level changes, like hidden columns or column groupings, are not inherited.

     

   • Copy and paste a table or input table element from an existing workbook or data model. For more information, see Copy and paste elements.

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     Reusable elements created via copy/paste are not linked to the original copied element and don’t reflect future changes applied to it.

4. [optional] Create additional reusable elements and transform the data as needed. You can group columns, aggregate values, create child elements, add control elements, etc. as you would in a workbook.

5. To save the new reusable elements, go to the data model header and click Publish.

   When the data model is successfully saved, Sigma opens the overview page where you can preview each reusable element and continue managing the data model.

   

Manage an existing data model

Edit a data model's name

Choose a unique name to make it easy for members to search for and identify the data model.

1. Open the data model you want to edit.

2. In the data model header, double-click the document name and update the text. Sigma immediately applies the change.

Edit a data model’s description

Enter a description to add context to the data model and its reusable elements.

1. Open the data model you want to edit.

2. In the overview page, go to the data model details, then click the description field and update the text. Sigma immediately applies the change.

Share the data model

Share a data model to allow members of your organization to utilize the reusable elements as data sources. Users who aren’t granted permission to use a specific data model cannot view or select its elements as data sources in workbooks and other data models.

1. Open the data model you want to share.

2. In the data model header, click the caret () associated with the document name, then select Share from the menu.

3. In the Share Data Model modal, search for and select an organization member, team, or email address.

4. In the Permission field, select an option:

   Can view	Allows selected users to view and use the data model and its reusable elements.
   Can edit	Allows selected users to view, use, and edit the data model and its reusable elements.

5. Click Share to save the permissions.

Enable or disable an element as a data source

By default, elements created in a data model are enabled for reuse as data sources in workbooks and other data models. You can disable or re-enable elements for reuse at any time.

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Disabled elements remain in the workbook page but are removed from the data model overview and cannot be used as data sources unless re-enabled. Any element (in the same data model, different data model, or workbook) referencing a disabled element as a source displays a “Source not found” error message.

1. Open the data model containing the element you want to edit.

2. In the data model header, click Edit to open the workbook page.

3. In the element you want to update, click to disable it as a data source or to enable it.

   When disabling an element, Sigma displays a Confirm disabling as source modal. Click Disable to proceed.

Edit an element

Edit a reusable or disabled element in a data model as you would in a Sigma workbook.

1. Open the data model containing the element you want to edit.

2. In the data model header, click Edit to open the workbook page.

3. Locate the element you want to edit, then modify it as needed.

Delete an element

Delete a reusable or disabled element to permanently remove it from the data model.

1. Open the data model containing the element you want to delete.

2. In the data model header, click Edit to open the workbook page.

3. Hover over or select the element you want to delete, then click More and select Delete element from the menu.