A dataset is a collection of data in a tabular format that is created on one of the possible data sources. The datasets can be used to create dashboards or individual charts.
To create a new dataset, navigate to the Library page, click the big plus button from the bottom right corner and choose Dataset from the submenu.
You will be taken to a page where you should choose an existing data source from the list or create a new one.
The following types of data sources are available:
- Local file (you can upload *.csv, *.xls and *.xlsx files from your computer)
- File by URL (you can create a dataset from the source available by the URL)
- Custom dataset
- Zapier dataset
- Integrations
- Cloud storage (you can upload files directly from your Cloud storage)
- Databases (you can create a connection directly to the database)
- Cloud services (you can connect directly to the desired Cloud service)
Let’s go through creating a dataset with each type of the data sources.
Import data from *.csv, *.xls and *.xlsx files
Before you upload your comma-separated values (*.csv) or Excel file, it must first be formatted correctly. Once it’s all set to go you are ready to start the upload!
To upload a local file, please do one of the following:
- Navigate to the Data sources page, click the big blue plus button and choose the Upload a File option from the list.
- Navigate to the Library page, click the big blue plus button and choose Integration from the submenu. Choose the Upload a File option from the list.
Find the file you want to upload and click Open.
Once you have chosen the file, you will be taken to the Dataset editor. To learn more about the Dataset editor, go here.
NOTE: Slemma is a browser-based application, so there are a few things you should consider when you have a large dataset:
- Uploading a very large dataset into Slemma can take a while.
- If you do import an extremely large list into Slemma (>10 dimensions and >5M rows), keep in mind that some charts can render slowly because there’s lots more to calculate.
Import file by URL
You can create a dataset from an available source by URL as well. If you want to upload data by URL, please do one of the following:
- Navigate to the Data sources page, click the big blue plus button and choose the File by URL option from the list.
- Navigate to the Library page, click the big blue plus button and choose Integration from the submenu. Choose the File by URL option from the list.
Enter a name of URL in the appeared window and click OK.
NOTE: When you copy and paste the URL in the appropriate field, please make sure that it refers to a specific file. The URL should have “.csv” or “.xls” at the end (depending on the format of the imported file).
After that, you will be taken to the Dataset editor. To learn more about the Dataset editor, go here.
NOTE: Slemma allows you to upload files only using HTTPS!
Import data from Cloud storage
Before you upload your *.csv or Excel file from cloud storage, make sure that it is formatted correctly. Once it’s all set to go you are ready to start the upload!
To upload a file from Cloud storage, please do one of the following:
- Navigate to the Data sources page, click the big blue plus button, find and choose the necessary Cloud storage from the list.
- Navigate to the Library page, click the big blue plus button and choose Integration from the submenu. Find and choose the necessary Cloud storage from the list.
Enter your login credentials for the Cloud storage and grant Slemma permissions to access your account (you need to do it once). For more info about connecting to specific Cloud Storage available in Slemma, please head over here.
Once the integration is created, you’ll see it on the Data sources page and on the Library page as well.
To create a dataset on the Cloud storage integration, click it from the list and choose the Browse datasets action. After that, Slemma will show you all files (*.xls, *.xlsx and *.csv) available in your Cloud storage. Select the one you’d like to import.
After that, you will be taken to the Dataset editor. To learn more about the Dataset editor, go here.
Connecting to a Database
To connect to your database, please do one of the following:
- Navigate to the Data sources page, click the big blue plus button, find and choose the necessary database from the list.
- Navigate to the Library page, click the big blue plus button and choose Integration from the submenu. Find and choose the necessary database from the list.
You’ll be redirected to the Integration settings page. Here you need to enter your connection details, set up a SSH-tunnel if needed, data refresh options and specify advanced settings.
Please head over to this article to learn more about connecting to databases.
When ready, click the CHECK CONNECTION button. If the connection is successful you will see the following message:
Now you are able to click the CONNECT button.
Once the integration with your database is created, you’ll see it on the Data sources page and on the Library page as well.
To create a dataset on the database integration, click it from the list and choose the Browse datasets action.
You’ll be redirected to a page where you should choose one of the available tables or views from the list or create a new one by choosing the Write SQL query option. After that, you will be taken to the Dataset editor. To learn more about the Dataset editor, go here.
Connecting to a Cloud service
To connect to your Cloud service, please do one of the following:
- Navigate to the Data sources page, click the big blue plus button, find and choose the necessary Cloud service from the list.
- Navigate to the Library page, click the big blue plus button and choose Integration from the submenu. Find and choose the necessary Cloud service from the list.
Enter your login credentials for the service (some services ask you to provide the APIs) and grant Slemma permission to access your account (you need to do it once).
Head over to these articles to learn about connecting to different services.
To create a dataset on the Cloud service integration, click it from the list and choose the Browse datasets action.
You’ll be redirected to a page where you are able to choose one of the available datasets. Cloud service integrations have prebuilt datasets that are not editable.
When you select one from the list, the Parameters box will open where you can change the Dataset name and set the period for loading data.
After that, the dataset will move to the top of the page where already existing datasets are located.
You can now create charts and dashboards on your Cloud service dataset.
You are not able to create and review datasets based on Google Analytics, Google AdWords, Mixpanel or NewRelic, you can create only an integration. Then you can build charts and dashboards directly on these integrations.