Mapping Groups in Nexadata are powerful tools that allow users to map data fields with conditional logic to ensure data consistency across systems. This guide will walk you through the process of creating a new Mapping Group.
Step-by-step Instructions
Step 1: Open the Mapping Group editor
Starting from the Home Screen
From the Nexadata home screen, click the "Create a Mapping Group" tile to go directly to the Mapping Group editor for a new Mapping Group.
Navigating from the Build Menu
Alternatively, go to Build > Mapping Group in the navigation bar. This brings you to a list of existing Mapping Groups where you can:
Edit an existing Mapping Group.
Create a new Mapping Group by clicking the "+" button in the upper right corner.
Step 2: Configure basic Mapping Group options
Once you’re in the Mapping Group editor, you’ll see the following options:
Name - Enter the name for your Mapping Group in the Name field (required).
Case Sensitivity - Check the Case Sensitive box if the mappings should distinguish between uppercase and lowercase letters.
Effective Dates
Set the Start Time and End Time for the Mapping Group.
This feature is helpful when mappings need to be active only during specific date ranges.
Step 3: Enter individual Mapping Rules
Below the configuration options is the mapping rule table. This table allows you to define specific rules for data mapping with the following columns:
Select: Choose individual rules for batch actions (e.g., removal or export).
Type: Define the mapping type—choose from exact, like, or regex (for more advanced pattern matching).
From: Enter the initial value that the rule will look for in your data.
To: Enter the target value to which the data should be transformed.
In addition to the individual mapping rules, there are the following Rule Management buttons:
Add Rule: Add a new mapping rule.
Remove Rule: Remove the selected rule(s).
Export: Export rules for external use or backup.
Import: Import rules from a saved file to quickly populate your Mapping Group.
Step 4: Save (or delete) the Mapping Group
Save: Located in the lower left corner (pictured above), this button saves your Mapping Group.
Delete: Found in the upper right corner (across from the Mapping Group name). This button deletes the Mapping Group if it’s no longer needed. If the Mapping Group is in use, then a similar dialogue will appear:
Step 5: Using a Mapping Group in a Transformation Pipeline
Once your Mapping Group is complete with individual Mapping Rules, you can apply it within a Nexadata Pipeline to transform data according to the mapping logic you've set up.
In the Nexadata Pipeline Builder:
Select Mapping
In the Pipeline Builder, choose the Mapping option and then click on the Use Existing Mapping Group tile. This will launch a three-step wizard to integrate the Mapping Group into your pipeline.
Three-Step Wizard for Mapping Group Integration
Select a Mapping Group
Choose the desired Mapping Group from the dropdown menu, then click Next to proceed.
Define Transformation Details
Enter a Transformation Name for this mapping step.
Select the Column where the Mapping Group should be applied.
Click Next once this information is entered.
Set Additional Conditions (Optional)
The wizard will display an additional Conditions column in the Mapping Group. By clicking the pencil button (✏️), you can set specific conditions under which each individual mapping rule is applied. Using AND/OR logic and GROUP conditions, you can specify that a mapping should only be applied when certain values in other columns meet defined criteria.
For example, you can create a condition in which a mapping is applied only if the transaction type is "Revenue" and the currency is "EURO".
👍 Conditions can be entered in natural language. Click the lightning bolt (⚡️) button to open a text input field where you can add instructions for each condition.
👍 Click the Preview Rule Changes button (circular arrows) to see a preview of the mapping rule changes.
3. Complete the Transformation
Once you’ve configured these options, save the transformation step to apply your Mapping Group within the pipeline, and the affected columns will be highlighted.
👍 See Mapping Group Management in a Pipeline for enhanced Mapping Group capabilities.
Summary of Steps
Open the Mapping Group Editor - Start from the home screen or go to Build > Mapping Group to create or edit a Mapping Group.
Configure Basic Options - Set the Mapping Group's name, case sensitivity, and effective start/end dates.
Enter Mapping Rules - Define each rule with "From" and "To" values, selecting rule type (exact, like, or regex).
Save or Delete the Mapping Group - Click Save to finalize or Delete if it’s no longer needed.
Use in a Pipeline - In Pipeline Builder, select Mapping, choose the Mapping Group, define transformation details, and set any additional conditions as needed.