Dependencies and dependants

A Dimension or Fact table's editor shows both directions of its data picture. The Dependencies step lists the objects the table reads, and the Dependants tab lists the objects that use it. Check both before you change, drop or delete a table, so you know what your change can affect. A dictionary's editor has its own pair; see Dictionary dependencies and Dictionary dependants. Static tables show the same Dependants tab.

Read the Dependencies step

The Dependencies step is the third step of the wizard, between Columns and RLS. It is a read-only record of what sits upstream of the table.

1. Open the table, stay on its Dimension or Fact tab, and go to Dependencies. Use Next from Columns, or Previous from RLS.
2. Read the matrix. It has three columns: Table, Transformation and Source System.
   • Entries sort by the table's name and group under it, so each upstream table appears once, with its source systems beside it.
   • A line above the matrix counts the entries, like 4 dependencies or 1 dependency.
   • Entries also carry their kind, such as View, Transformation, Write Back or Dictionary.
3. Click an entry to open the object in its own window: a table opens its editor, and a transformation opens the transformation editor.
   • The tooltip on a name tells you what will open: Open table or Open transformation, followed by the object's name.
   • When a transformation's name cannot be resolved, the entry falls back to its number, like Transformation #12, or reads Unknown transformation.

The step has no fields and nothing to save; it only shows what is recorded. To change what a transformation reads, open its Dependencies step: Transformation dependencies. A view manages its own list on View dependencies.

While the list loads, the step reads Loading dependencies…. With nothing recorded, it reads No dependencies and This table has no upstream dependencies defined.

Read the Dependants tab

The Dependants tab sits between Preview and Settings.

1. Open the table and click Dependants.
2. Read the groups.
   • Objects group by kind in a fixed order: Dimension, Fact, Dictionary, Static, View, Transformation, Lake, Mind, Write-back, Reference, Presentation and Semantic model. Only the kinds in use appear.
   • Each group card carries a count of its entries. The cards lay out in one to four columns, depending on the width of the window.
   • A presentation entry can name the slides that use the table, like slide 4 or slides 4, 7.
3. Click a row to open what it names.
   • A table opens its editor, a transformation opens its editor, a presentation opens its deck, and a semantic model opens its page.
   • A Reference row opens the table it points at.
   • Point at a row's pencil to see the action, such as Edit dimension, Edit transformation, Open presentation or Open semantic model.
4. A Mind row works in two ways.
   • Clicking the row opens the Mind's Sources. The pencil reads Start new chat and starts a new chat with the Mind instead.
   • The View mind sources button appears only when you can open the Mind's settings panel.
5. Some rows do not open.
   • Rows that stand for objects outside your access are summarised by count, like 2 presentations you cannot access. They never show names, and they are not links.
   • If the check cannot be fully determined, the tab shows a notice and does not count what it could not determine. Treat the list as incomplete and check again later.

When the Dependants tab cannot load

Before you drop or delete a table

Check the Dependants tab first.

For the drop and delete flows, see Deploy, run, truncate and monitor tables and Deleting a table with dependants.

Permissions

Reading a table, including its steps and its Dependants tab, needs View Warehouse Objects. Changing the table itself needs more; the full list is in Warehouse permissions and row-level security.

Questions, answered

What is the difference between the Dependencies step and the Dependants tab?

Dependencies points upstream: it lists the objects the table reads. Dependants points downstream: it lists the objects that use the table. Read both before you change the table.

What happens when I click a dependency row?

The object opens in its own window, and the table's window stays behind it. The tooltip on the name tells you what will open, as Open table or Open transformation, followed by the object's name.

Why does a dependency show "Transformation #12"?

The transformation's name could not be resolved, so the entry falls back to its number. When nothing could be resolved at all, it reads Unknown transformation.

Can I change what the table depends on from the Dependencies step?

No. The step is read-only. What a transformation reads is set on its own Dependencies step, described in Transformation dependencies; a view manages its own list on View dependencies.

Why is the Dependencies step empty?

Nothing upstream is recorded for the table yet, so the step reads No dependencies and This table has no upstream dependencies defined.

Why does the Dependants tab say "Table Not Created"?

The table has not been saved yet, so there is nothing to check. Save the table's General step first; the tab fills in once the table has a saved record.

Why is a group missing from the Dependants tab?

The tab shows the kinds that are in use. A kind with no entries does not appear, so a missing group means nothing of that kind uses the table.

What do I do when the Dependants tab cannot load?

The tab reads Failed to load dependants with the reason under the heading, and a Retry button. Click Retry; if it keeps failing, check again later.

Should I check the Dependants tab before I drop the table?

Yes. Dropping or deleting a table does not remove the objects that use it, and those objects can break until you fix them or deploy the table again. See Deploy, run, truncate and monitor tables.

Which permission do I need to see dependencies and dependants?

View Warehouse Objects covers reading a table, its steps and its Dependants tab. See Warehouse permissions and row-level security.