Deploy a dictionary and set up its columns

A dictionary is a Warehouse lookup table that SQL queries fill. Use its Columns step to define the fields it carries, then deploy it to create the table in the warehouse and open Data Mapping.

Set up the columns

Open the dictionary and go to the Columns step. It lists one row per column, with the headers Name, Comment, Data Domain, Data Type, PII Domain, Default Value, Permission Group and PC.

The cells carry their own rules:

• Data Domain picks the business type. A known domain applies its storage type to Data Type; pick Custom to clear the type and enter one yourself. For the domains and their default-value suggestions, see Column data domains, defaults and PII.
• A foreign-key column keeps Data Domain and Data Type locked, except when the key's type is Array.
• PII Domain accepts edits only on the columns where a change is allowed; on the others the cell stays locked.
• Default Value holds the value a column falls back to. Its help reads: "String/text defaults must be wrapped in single quotes, e.g. 'N/A'. Numbers and dates take raw values, and SQL expressions like now64(3) are allowed." The cell suggests values already used by other rows of the same data type.
• Permission Group picks the groups that see the column. Its help reads: "The admin group has full access to all columns by default." The admin group never appears in the cell and is left out of exports. See Warehouse permissions and row-level security.
• PC is the Partition Column; its help reads "Whether this column is used for partitioning."
• The Delete Flag row is locked, but its Permission Group cell stays editable.
• When you reorder rows, each name stays with its column; no cell shows a stale value after the move.

For adding and editing columns in general, see Define table columns, and for every lock in the grid, see The table columns grid.

Deploy the dictionary

Data Mapping needs the dictionary to be deployed. Until then, the Data Mapping step shows Table Not Deployed and the sentence: "Deploy this dictionary to access data mapping. Deployment creates the table in the warehouse with your current column configuration."

1. Open the dictionary's Data Mapping step.
2. Click Deploy. While the deployment runs, the action reads Deploying and stays disabled.
3. When it finishes, data mapping is available.

Deployment creates the table in the warehouse from the current column configuration, so set up the Columns step first. For the rest of the dictionary's setup, see Dictionaries.

Questions, answered

Why does Data Mapping show Table Not Deployed?

The dictionary is not deployed yet, so data mapping cannot open. Click Deploy on the step; deployment creates the table in the warehouse with the current column configuration, and data mapping is available when it finishes.

Should I finish the Columns step before I deploy?

Yes. Deployment creates the table in the warehouse from the current column configuration, so set the columns up first and deploy after.

Why are Data Domain and Data Type locked on a foreign-key column?

A column that holds a foreign key keeps Data Domain and Data Type locked, except when the key's type is Array. For the grid's locks and their reasons, see The table columns grid.

Why did Data Type clear when I picked Custom?

Custom lets you choose the storage type yourself, so picking it clears Data Type so you can enter one. Every other domain fills the type from the domain. See Column data domains, defaults and PII.

Why can't I change the PII Domain on some columns?

The cell is editable only where a PII change is allowed; the full rule is on Define table columns.

Why can I still edit Permission Group on the locked Delete Flag row?

The Delete Flag row is locked, but the lock leaves its Permission Group cell editable. The other locked cells and their reasons are on The table columns grid.

Why is the admin group missing from Permission Group?

The admin group has full access to all columns by default, so it is not part of the cell: it never appears there, and it is left out of exports.

What does the PC column mean?

PC stands for Partition Column. Hover the header to read the full name, and the cell's help reads "Whether this column is used for partitioning."