Create Reference Data Tables

Reference data tables represent data you have stored in ONE. This guide shows you how to create tables using different methods based on your data source.

Next steps: After creating your first table, continue with Set Up Access and Governance to control who can access and modify your data.

Create tables

You can access the metadata of each reference data table in the Data Catalog as well (Catalog > Data Catalog > Published Reference Data). These tables appear as reference data catalog items.

You can create tables in one of the following ways:

Create an empty table
Import data from a catalog item - either from Reference Data or directly from catalog items
Import data from a file

Create table

Create an empty table

You can create an empty table and fill in attributes and records manually.

To create an empty table:

Go to Manage data > Reference data > Tables.
Select Create table.
Select Create new table.
Enter a Table name.
Select Confirm.

After creating the empty table, it opens on the Data structure tab where you can continue with defining the table structure and adding records.

For next steps, see:

Import data from a catalog item

You can load data from an existing catalog item to a new reference data table. This feature lets you to select specific columns and apply data transformations for advanced data preparation use cases.

Permissions: You need to have Full or Editing access to Data Transformation plans to create reference data from catalog items.

Limitations:

The data can only be loaded to a new table. It is not possible to override existing ones.

Load from Reference Data section

To import data from the Reference Data section:

Go to Manage data > Reference data > Tables.
Select Create table.
Select Load from Catalog.
Select a catalog item to load into a new reference data table from the list.

You can search and filter the list to find the item you need.
Select Next.
Configure Source and Target settings:
1. Source:
  - Selected Catalog item: Shows the catalog item selected for import.
  - Import: Select whether to import all attributes or selected attributes only.
2. Target:
  - Enter new table name: Enter a name for your table.
  - Open the dataset in data transformations to prepare it before loading: Prepare the data using data transformations.
Select Next.
(Optional) If you decided to import selected attributes, select attributes you want to load from the list.
Select Load data

Your table and its records are now added.

Load directly from catalog items

You can also create reference data directly from catalog items without going through Reference Data.

To create reference data directly from a catalog item:

Go to Catalog.
Navigate to the catalog item you want to use as reference data.
Select the Create reference data option from the catalog item actions three dots menu.
Configure the same Source and Target settings as described in the previous section.
Complete the loading process as described above.

This approach provides a more direct workflow when you’re already working with catalog items and want to quickly convert them to reference data.

Import data from a file

You can create new tables by importing XLSX and CSV files.

To import data from a file:

Go to Manage data > Reference data > Tables.
Select Create table.
Select Import from file.
Select file. Choose a source file to import in one of the following ways:
- Drag and drop your file in the Source file section.
- Select Browse files and open your file in your systems file browser.
Configure import settings:

Import options are auto-detected, which means you can usually leave them as is, unless you encounter issues.
- In the Source file section, you have the following options:
  - Remove: Removes source file and returns you to the beginning of the import flow.
  - Reset settings: Resets changed settings to the auto-detected defaults.
  - Use first row as header: Select this if the first row of your table is a header row.
  - File encoding: Select the encoding type of your file.
  - Value separator: Enter the symbol that separates values in your table.
  - In Source file preview, you can change the labels of the header rows as needed.
Select Next.
Configure table settings:
1. Provide the following information:
2. Name: Enter a name for your table.
To finish the import, select Finish and import.

This adds the table to ONE. The imported records are in draft state and have to be applied to the schema.
Apply the schema change.
1. Select Preview & Decide.
2. On the Schema changes preview screen, select Apply.
  
  Your table and its records are now added.

Next steps

After creating your table, you can continue with other Get Started topics:

Set up governance: Set Up Access and Governance - Control who can access and modify your data.
Publish your data: Publish Your Data - Make your reference data available across the platform.
Use your data: Work with Published Reference Data - Access your published data throughout ONE.

For advanced scenarios, explore:

Advanced Workflows: Complete end-to-end scenarios for exporting to databases, creating validation rules, or deduplicating data.

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