---
title: "Managing Source Datasets"
description: "A source dataset specifies which data to import from a source system. You can define one or more source datasets for a connection, with configuration options that depend on the source system."
source_url: https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/data-hub/managing-source-datasets
language: en
last_updated: 2026-09-09
---
# Managing Source Datasets
## Overview
A source dataset specifies which data to import from a source system. Each source dataset belongs to a connection, and a connection can have one or more source datasets. On the **Integrations** page, each source dataset is displayed as a child row of the connection it uses.
## Creating a Source Dataset
To create a source dataset:
1. On the **Integrations** page, click the three dot icon in the row of the connection you want to use to import data and select **Create new dataset**.
2. Specify the options of the source dataset.
3. Click **Create**. The source dataset is created and displayed under the selected connection on the **Integrations** page.
The following options are available for a source dataset:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Name that identifies the source dataset on the **Integrations** page. Required. |
| Connection | Connection to the system the data is imported from. Required.
**Note:** The connection you create the source dataset from is preselected. If necessary, you can select a different connection from the drop-down list. The **Configuration** area then displays the options of the selected source system. After the source dataset is created, the connection can no longer be changed.
|
| Namespace | Technical identifier for the source dataset, used to reference its data tables in SQL queries against the [Data Lake](https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/glossary.md#data-lake) (for example, namespace.table_name). The namespace can have up to 255 characters and must be SQL-safe, with no spaces or unsupported special characters. Required. |
| Variables | Optional placeholders in the configuration whose values are selected every time an import is started. For more information, see [Variables](#variables) below. |
| Configuration | Data to import from the source system. Required. For more information, see [Source Dataset Configuration](#source-dataset-configuration) below. |
## Variables
A variable is a placeholder in the configuration of a source dataset. Instead of a fixed value, you can enter the variable in the configuration and select a value for the variable every time you start an import. This way, a single source dataset can import the data of a specific period or a specific company, without a separate source dataset for every combination.
The **Variables** area is displayed as follows, for example:
Variables area of a source dataset
You can define the variables either while you create the source dataset or later, using the **Edit** option. Click **Add variable** and specify the following for each variable:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Variable name | Name of the variable, used to reference the variable in the configuration of the source dataset |
| Display name | Name that is displayed for the variable when an import is started, for example `Period` |
| Data type | Data type of the values. Currently, only **String** is available. |
| Selection type | Number of values that can be selected for one import:
• **Single value**: Exactly one value can be selected.
• **Set of values**: Several values can be selected. The import extracts the data for each of the selected values separately. |
To define the values that can be selected for a variable:
1. In the row of the variable, click **Configure values**.
2. Click **Add value** and specify the following:
- **Label**: Text that is displayed for the value when an import is started, for example `January`.
- **Value**: Value that replaces the variable in the configuration when the import is executed, for example `01`.
3. Click **Save**.
The allowed values of a variable are displayed as follows, for example:
Allowed values of the variable 'Period'
To remove a variable from the source dataset, click the trash bin icon in the row of the variable.
In the options of the **Configuration** area, you can enter a variable in a text field or in a table cell. Write the variable name in double curly brackets, for example `{{PERIOD}}`.
> **Note:** Every variable of a source dataset requires a value before an import can be executed. For more information, see [Importing Data](https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/data-hub/importing-data.md).
## Source Dataset Configuration
The configuration of a source dataset defines which data is imported. The connection template of the source system determines which tabs the **Configuration** area displays and which options each tab contains. The configuration of an SAP S/4HANA source dataset therefore differs from the configuration of a Microsoft Dynamics 365 source dataset, and the options can change with the version of the connection template.
The **Configuration** area of an SAP S/4HANA source dataset is displayed as follows, for example:
Configuration of an SAP S/4HANA source dataset
The following tabs are available in the **Configuration** area:
| Tab | Description |
|---|---|
| General configuration | Technical settings of the import |
| Custom RFC | Settings for importing the result of a function module that is implemented in the SAP system |
| EXECUTE_SELECT query | Settings for importing the result of an SQL query against the tables of the SAP database |
The options of the configuration can contain variables. For more information, see [Variables](#variables).
## Additional Options for a Source Dataset
You can manage an existing source dataset from the three dot icon in the row of the source dataset on the **Integrations** page. The following options are available:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Start import | Option to start an import for the source dataset. For more information, see [Importing Data](https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/data-hub/importing-data.md). |
| View execution details | Option to display the execution history of the source dataset. For more information, see [Importing Data](https://support.lucanet.com/en/documentation/data-hub/importing-data.md). |
| Edit | Option to display and change the settings of the source dataset |
| Deactivate / Activate | Option to set the source dataset to **Inactive** or back to **Active**. An inactive source dataset cannot be imported. |
| Delete | Option to delete the source dataset |
> **Warning:** After the first import, a source dataset can no longer be edited. Before the first import, all options except the connection can still be changed.