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Metadata

Metadata is the data that provides information about your data. It's essentially "data about data," describing the properties, context, or structure of the data it relates to. Metadata helps with organizing, understanding, finding, and managing data more effectively. The current version of Grafieks consists Descriptive Metadata along with option to update the "Grafieks Display Name", "Grafieks Data Type" and "Description".

Note: Only an administrator or datasource creator can update metadata.

1. Grafieks Display Name​

At times, the original field name may be unclear or overly technical, making it difficult to grasp the data's purpose. Renaming the field to something more descriptive improves understanding and makes the content more accessible to others.

In Grafieks, the 'Grafieks Display Name' feature allows you to assign an alternate name or alias to a field from the source. When you double click on a cell, it will give you a text field option.

In future versions of Grafieks, this alternate name will be shown in data panes, providing a more intuitive and user-friendly experience.

2. Grafieks Data Type​

Converting a numerical field to a categorical field is often necessary in data analysis and reporting when the context of the analysis changes. Numerical and categorical field are treated differently in analytical tools, with numerical data representing quantitative data used for calculations and categorical data representing qualitative or categorical data used to segment or group data.

In Grafieks, you can convert the data type between categorical and numerical from the metadata column "Converted Data Type". When you double click on a cell, it will give you a drop down option.

Few use cases of converting data type:

  • Categorizing or Grouping Data
  • Facilitating Comparative Analysis
  • Enabling Drill-Downs and Hierarchies
  • Handling Discrete Values Instead of Continuous Ones

3. Description​

The description explains what the data represents, its source, and its context. Without proper description, users may misunderstand what the data is about, leading to incorrect analyses or decisions. For example, describing a field as "Customer_Age" clarifies that it refers to customer demographics, not a system-generated value. Another example will be dates, the description can clarify whether date refers to "Order Date," "Delivery Date," or "Invoice Date." This specificity reduces errors and ensures the data is used correctly.

In Grafieks, you can add description of a field from the metadata column "Description". When you double click on a cell, it will give you a text field option.