Delete Attributes Step

Removes selected attributes from your data flow.

This step is available for all transformation types: standalone plans, embedded plans, transformation rules, and transformation catalog items.

Overview

The Delete Attributes step removes columns from your data flow that are no longer needed. Use this step to clean up your schema before output or to remove sensitive data before further processing.

Use this step to:

Remove unnecessary columns before loading to a target.
Clean up intermediate calculation fields.
Remove sensitive data (PII, credentials) before export.
Reduce data volume by dropping unused attributes.
Prepare data to match a target schema.

Configuration

Delete attributes

Ensure the Delete Attributes step is connected to an input step.
In the step configuration, select Add.
Choose the attributes you want to remove from the list.
Repeat to add more attributes for deletion.

You will only see attributes from steps that are already connected as inputs to the Delete Attributes step.

Selecting multiple attributes

You can delete multiple attributes in a single step:

Select Add for each attribute you want to remove.
All selected attributes will be removed from the data flow.
The remaining attributes continue to downstream steps.

Common use cases

Remove temporary calculation fields

After using the Add Attributes step to create intermediate calculations, remove them before output:

Example flow

Add Attributes: Create temp_total = quantity * unit_price
Transform Data: Use temp_total in calculations
Delete Attributes: Remove temp_total before output

Prepare for target schema

When your target system expects specific columns, remove extra attributes:

Example

Source has: id, name, internal_code, timestamp, debug_flag

Target expects: id, name

Delete: internal_code, timestamp, debug_flag

Remove sensitive data

Before exporting data or sending to external systems:

Attributes to consider removing

Personal identifiable information (PII)
Passwords or credentials
Internal system IDs
Debug or audit fields

Delete Attributes vs Edit Schema

Aspect	Delete Attributes	Edit Schema
Purpose	Remove attributes entirely	Rename or reorder attributes
Result	Attributes are removed from data flow	Attributes remain but with new names or order
Use case	Clean up unwanted columns	Standardize naming or column order

Aspect

Delete Attributes

Edit Schema

Purpose

Remove attributes entirely

Rename or reorder attributes

Result

Attributes are removed from data flow

Attributes remain but with new names or order

Use case

Clean up unwanted columns

Standardize naming or column order

Best practices

Delete before output: Place Delete Attributes steps near the end of your plan, just before output steps, to ensure all needed transformations are complete.
Document what you delete: Add a description explaining why certain attributes are removed, especially for security-related deletions.
Review before deleting: Verify that downstream steps don’t need the attributes you’re removing. Deleting required attributes will cause errors.
Group deletions: Use a single Delete Attributes step to remove multiple attributes rather than chaining multiple steps.