Creating Datasets

Before you can visualize and explore data, you must create a dataset. Nitro Explorer is pre-loaded with several datasets but you can also create your own.

Users can create Private or Shared datasets:

Shared datasets - Created on shared databases and accessible to other users within the organization. For example, production_v is shared database, therefore all datasets created on production_v are shared datasets.
Private datasets - Created on user-specific databases. Cannot be accessed by anyone other than the creator. For example, production_v::modifyall<username>__v is a user-specific database, therefore all datasets created on it are private datasets.

To switch the dataset from private to shared mode or vice-versa:

Select Edit dataset from the More Actions menu on the dataset you want to switch the database.
Select the appropriate user-specific or common database, depending on whether you want a private or shared dataset, from the Database drop-down menu.
Select Save.

If your visualization can be based on the data in Nitro without any manipulation or joining of other data, you can create a physical dataset to power the chart. If you need a more complex or derived dataset to power your chart, you must create a virtual dataset.

Creating a Physical Dataset

To create a physical dataset:

Select Datasets from the Data menu on the Nitro Explorer home page.
Select the +Dataset button.
Select the Datasource, Schema, and Table for the new dataset.
Select Add.

To upload a CSV as a dataset:

Select Upload a CSV from the Data menu on the Nitro Explorer home page.
Complete the required fields on the CSV to Database configuration form.

Users can upload a parquet file as a CSV by specifying the columns in the Use Columns section of the CSV to Database configuration upload form.
Select Save.

To upload an Excel sheet as a dataset:

Select Upload Excel from the Data menu on the Nitro Explorer home page.
Complete the required fields on the Excel to Database configuration form.
Select Save.

Creating a Virtual Dataset

To create a virtual dataset:

Select SQL Editor from the SQL Lab menu on the Nitro Explorer home page.
Create an SQL query.
Select Run.
Select the Results tab.
Select Explore.
Save the query and results as a new virtual Dataset or create a new one.
Specify the configuration you wish to use to visualize the data in the Chart Builder.