---
title: "Defining a Data Source"
description: "Data sources are the basis for importing data from a source system or a source file into Lucanet Disclosure Management. To import the desired data into Disclosure Management and use it in reports, the data source must be configured accordingly in the Import Management area."
source_url: https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/disclosure-management/import-data-disclmgmt/define-data-srouce-disclmgmt
language: en
last_updated: 2023-08-16
---
# Defining a Data Source

## Overview

Data sources are the basis for importing data from a source system or a source file into Disclosure Management. To import the desired data into Disclosure Management and use it in reports, the data source must be configured accordingly in the **Import Management** area.

The following is defined during configuration of the data source:

- Which data from the data source should be taken into account for the import (**Parameterization**)
- Which columns contain which data (**Mapping**)
- Whether and how certain data should be converted or enriched during the import (**Transformation**)
- Whether and how certain data should be summarized during the import (**Aggregation**)

The configuration of the data source depends on the type of data source (i.e. whether you obtain data from a **file**, from a **Lucanet database** or from **Lucanet ESG reporting**).

{% warning-box %}
The **Import Management** functional area is only activated for users who have been assigned the **global administrator** role in Disclosure Management role management, as only this user role is authorized to manage imports (**ImportData**). (For additional information about user roles in Disclosure Management, see [Creating and Editing User Roles for Disclosure Management](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/disclosure-management/basic-configuration-disclmgmt/role-mgmt-disclmgmt.md))
{% /warning-box %}

## Prerequisites

To create a data source, you must first define a connection for this data source in the **Connections** workspace. For additional information, see [Defining a Connection to a Data Source](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/disclosure-management/import-data-disclmgmt/define-data-source-connection-disclmgmt.md). Several data sources can be created with the same connection.

## Creating a Data Source

Data sources are created and configured in the Disclosure Management **Import Management** area:

Create a data source

To create a data source:

{% stepper %}
{% stepper-step %}
Click in the function bar on **Import Management** and then in the overview on **Data sources** to open the workspace.

{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Click the **+** icon next to **Data source**.

{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Configure the data source as described in the following sections.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Save the data source.

{% /stepper-step %}
{% /stepper %}
{% idea-box %}
An overview of all data sources already created is displayed on the left-hand side of the detail view. From here, you can:

- Create a new data source
- Select and edit existing data sources

By default, a data source for **importing from Lucanet ESG Reporting** is already created in the overview, which is preconfigured and can be used by all users who have licensed Lucanet ESG Reporting. For additional information on this data source see section [Default Data Source for Importing from Lucanet ESG Reporting](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/disclosure-management/import-data-disclmgmt/define-data-srouce-disclmgmt/.md#defaultds) _._
{% /idea-box %}

## Configuring a Data Source

To configure a data source, you must open the editing mode by clicking the icon at the top right of the detail view of the data source.

### General Settings

General settings of a data source

### Description

**Name**

Name of the data source

**Connection**

Selection of the connection to the data source that was previously configured in the **Connections** workspace.

{% info-box %}
- Several data sources can be created with the same connection.
- When importing an Excel file, a separate data source must be created for each worksheet.
- As soon as the connection has been selected, further configuration fields and commands are displayed.
{% /info-box %}

**Description**

Optional description for the connection

**Import parameters**

Opens the configuration screen for defining the import parameters (see section [Defining Import Parameters](#Imptparam)).

**Mappings**

Used to create one or more mappings for the data source (i.e. specifications on how the imported data should be assigned within Disclosure Management).

**Transformations** and **aggregations** of the data to be imported can also be configured via the configuration of the mappings (see section [Defining Mapping](#mappings)).

**Open preview in new window**

Opens a preview of the imported data before and after applying the configuration created under **Mappings** (see section [Displaying a Preview of the Imported Data](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/disclosure-management/import-data-disclmgmt/define-data-srouce-disclmgmt/.md#Preview)).

**Other commands**

You can also **delete the data source**, **save** it, and **cancel** editing of the details.

### Defining Import Parameters

You can use import parameters to specify which data should be imported from a data source. The required parameters for this depend on the type of of data source (i.e. whether you obtain data from a **file**, from a **Lucanet database** or from **Lucanet ESG reporting**).

In the data source interface, click **Import parameters** to open the configuration of the import parameters.

An explanation of the parameters that you must or can define for an import is provided on the user interface.

### Defining Parameters for Importing from a File

{% info-box %}
When importing data from an **XLSX file**:

- The parameters **Worksheet** and **Header** are required.
- All other parameters are **optional**. If you do not specify anything, all rows and columns containing data on the specified worksheet are imported.

- When importing an XLSX file, a separate data source must be created **for each worksheet** to be imported.
{% /info-box %}

Parameters for Importing from an Excel File

{% warning-box %}
No additional parameters are required when **importing a CSV file**.
{% /warning-box %}

### Defining Parameters for Importing from a Lucanet Database

{% info-box %}
When **importing from a Lucanet database**:

- You can select all elements available in the Lucanet database from which you want to import.
- If multiple selection is possible, check boxes for selecting the individual elements are displayed in the drop-down lists.
- Select the **Can be overwritten** check box if the parameters you specify here can be overwritten by parameters you specify when performing the import. For additional information on parameterization when performing the import, see [Configuring and Executing a Data Import](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/disclosure-management/import-data-disclmgmt/configure-and-define-data-import-disclmgmt.md).
{% /info-box %}

### Required Parameters

Mandatory parameters for importing from a Lucanet database

### Optional Parameters

Optional parameters for importing from a Lucanet database

### Parameters for Importing from Lucanet ESG Reporting

Import parameters for importing from Lucanet ESG Reporting

### Description

**Report name**

Select the ESG report from which data is to be imported.

{% info-box %}
- All reports that have been created in the **Lucanet ESG Reporting** solution and for which the data has already been aggregated are available for selection.\
\
For further information on data aggregation of an ESG report can be found in [Aggregating Data](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/home-alt/esg-reporting/aggregate-data-esgrep.md) chapter of the Lucanet ESG Reporting solution documentation.
- The predefined default data source **ESG Reporting Datasource** is available in the overview of data sources and can be used by all users who have licensed Lucanet ESG Reporting (see section [Default Data Source for Importing from Lucanet ESG Reporting](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/disclosure-management/import-data-disclmgmt/define-data-srouce-disclmgmt/.md#defaultds))
{% /info-box %}

### Defining Mapping

**Mappings** are required for subsequent use of the imported data in Disclosure Management.

Mappings are used to define which columns of an imported Excel file contain which values. The columns are stored when programming an Excel file that is used in a report so that the correct data is inserted in the report. For additional information on programming the reporting data in an Excel file, see [Inserting Report Values in MS Excel](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/disclosure-management/work-with-msoffice/excel-files-disclmgmt/insert-values.md).

In addition, one or more **transformations** and/or **aggregations** can optionally be defined for each mapping (i.e. whether the data should be converted, enriched and/or summarized before import).

Several mappings can be defined for a data source and selected during the import process. For example, a mapping can be created for different periods or periodicities.

All already-defined mappings are displayed in the **Mappings** area and can be edited there or deleted using the trash can icon.

### Configuring Mapping

To create a mapping, open the editing mode of the data source and click the **+** symbol in the **Mappings** area.

Then configure the fields for the mapping:

### Description

**Title**

Name of the mapping. The default is **new Mapping**.

**Description**

Optional description for the mapping

**Name column**

Select the range in the data source that contains the names to be inserted in the name column of the programmed Excel file used in the report (e.g. the names of the accounts and/or items or the page of the balance sheet).

**Value column**

Select the range in the data source that contains the values to be inserted into the value column of the programmed Excel file used in the report (e.g. values in a specific reporting year).

**Programming column**

Select the range in the data source that contains unique identifiers to be inserted into programming column of the programmed Excel file used in the report (e.g. account numbers).

**Importing texts**

Activate this option if cells with text are to be included in the import.

**Import zero values**

Activate this option if cells with zero values are to be taken into account during the import.

### Configuring Transformations (Optional)

You can use transformations to specify whether source data should be converted or enriched before import. Transformations always create a new column in the imported data.

To create a transformation within a mapping:

{% stepper %}
{% stepper-step %}
If necessary, open the editing mode of the data source.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
In the **Transformations** area, click the **+** symbol
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Edit the displayed fields.

 An explanation of the fields is provided on the user interface.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Click the **Open preview in new window** button and check the **Imported items** tab in the displayed window to determine whether the transformation provides the desired result.

{% /stepper-step %}
{% /stepper %}
The following transformation types are currently available:

### Suffix

Configuration of the 'Suffix' transformation

### Description

The **Suffix** transformation is used to append a definable text to a value and write it to a new column.

### Example

**New column name**: Item name_Group

**Source column**: Item name

**Suffix**: \_Group

**Column before transformation**:

Column in Excel before transformation 'Suffix'

**New column after transformation**:

Column in Excel after transformation 'Suffix'

### Join

Configuration of the 'Join' transformation

### Description

The transformation type **Join** is used to connect the values of two selectable columns and write them to a new column.

### Example

**New column name**: Account_with_Transaction_type

**First source column**: Account number

**Second source column**: Transaction type

**Separator**: #

**Columns before transformation**:

Columns in Excel before transformation 'Join'

**New column after transformation**:

Column in Excel after transformation 'Join'

### Configuring Aggregations (Optional)

You can use **aggregations** to specify whether source data should be aggregated (i.e. summarized) before import.

To create an aggregation within a mapping:

{% stepper %}
{% stepper-step %}
If necessary, open the editing mode of the data source.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
In the **Transformations** area, click the **+** symbol
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Edit the displayed fields.

 An explanation of the fields is provided on the user interface.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Click the **Open preview in new window** button and check the **Imported items** tab in the displayed window to determine whether the aggregation provides the desired result.

{% /stepper-step %}
{% /stepper %}
The following aggregation types are currently available:

### Sum

Configuration of the aggregation 'Sum'

### Description

You can use the **total** aggregation to total all numerical values in the value column – grouped according to the source column to which the total function is applied.

### Example

**Source column**: Column2

**Columns before aggregation**:

Column in Excel before aggregation 'Sum'

**Columns after aggregation**:

Column in Excel after aggregation 'Sum'

### Filter

Configuration of the aggregation of type 'Filter'

### Description

You can use the **Filter** aggregation type to import only values that match the defined filter condition.

The condition must be entered manually into the **Filter** field. The filter value or text must be placed in double inverted commas.

The following arithmetical and logical operators are available for defining the filter condition:

**Arithmetical operators for text filters**:

- ' **=**' imports all rows that match the specified filter text exactly.
- **<** imports all rows whose text comes after the specified filter text in their relative position in the alphabetical sort order.
- **<=** imports all rows whose text in their relative position in the alphabetical sort order is in the same position or after the specified filter text.
- **>** imports all rows whose text comes before the specified filter text in their relative position in the alphabetical sort order.
- **>=** imports all rows whose text in their relative position in the alphabetical sort order is in the same position or before the specified filter text.
- **<>** displays all rows that do not match the specified filter text exactly.
- **contains** displays all rows that contain the specified filter text at any location.
- **notContains** displays all rows that do not contain the specified filter text.

**Arithmetical operators for number filters:**

- **<** displays all rows with a value greater than the specified number. If the value in a row is a text, it is not taken into account.
- **<=** displays all rows with a value greater than or equal to the specified number. If the value in a row is a text, it is not taken into account.
- **>** displays all rows with a value that is less than the specified number. If the value in a row is a text, it is not taken into account.
- **>=** displays all rows with a value less than or equal to the specified number. If the value in a row is a text, it is not taken into account.
- **<>** displays all rows that do not match the specified filter text exactly
- **contains** displays all rows that contain the specified filter value at any location
- **notContains** displays all rows that do not contain the specified filter value

**Logical operators:**

Filter conditions can be linked with **and** and **or**.

### Example

**Source column**: Transaction type

**Filter:** contains "110"

**Column before aggregation**:

Column in Excel before aggregation 'Filter'

**Column after aggregation**:

Column in Excel after aggregation 'Filter'

## Displaying a Preview of the Imported Data

To check whether the configured mapping(s) are configured correctly and deliver the desired result, you can display a preview of the imported data in a separate window.

To do this, click in the data source interface on **Open preview in new window**.

The preview of the imported data is displayed as follows, for example:

Preview of the data import

The following elements are displayed in the import preview:

| Element | Description |
|---------|---------|
| Datasource | Name of the data source |
| Mapping | Selection of the mapping for which a preview of the import is to be displayed. All mappings defined in the data source can be selected. |
| 'Source data' tab | Source data that serves as the basis for the import |
| 'Processed data' tab | Preview of the data after applying transformations and/or aggregations that may have been configured. If no aggregations and/or transformations have been configured, the same data are displayed on this tab as on the **Source data** tab. |
| 'Imported data' tab | Preview of the data that will be imported at the end. |
| Last updated | Time of the last update of the import preview |
| Update | Click this button if you want to execute the import preview again. |

## Default Data Source for Importing from Lucanet ESG Reporting

To avoid additional configuration effort, a predefined default data source is already available for importing report data from Lucanet ESG Reporting.

The following data is imported from an ESG report using this data source:

- The **question** from the ESG questionnaire in text form ( **Name** column)
- The **unique ID** of the entry that is required for programming the Excel file in which the value is to be displayed. (The ID is made up of the number of the question from the ESG questionnaire with the row and column index of the CSV file that is generated in the background when the ESG reporting data is aggregated)
- The **value** that is stored in the report for this entry

In the Import preview, the imported data is displayed as follows, for example:

Example of an import preview with the ESG reporting data source

To use the default data source:

{% stepper %}
{% stepper-step %}
Click on the data source **ESG Reporting Datasource** in the **Data sources** area.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
In the **Import parameters** area, select the ESG report from which you want to import the data from the drop-down list.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
If necessary, display a preview of the imported data (see Displaying a Preview of the Imported Data).

{% /stepper-step %}
{% /stepper %}
{% warning-box %}
- This default data source can be used by all users who have licensed Lucanet ESG Reporting. For all users without a license for Lucanet ESG Reporting, the data source is displayed but cannot be loaded.
- All reports that have been created in the **Lucanet ESG Reporting** solution and for which the data has already been **aggregated** are available for selection. Further information on data aggregation of an ESG report can be found in the [Aggregating data](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/home-alt/esg-reporting/aggregate-data-esgrep.md) chapter of the Lucanet ESG Reporting solution documentation.
- This default data source **cannot be edited any further** . To import the above-mentioned data, it already contains a predefined mapping and two predefined transformations.
- If you want to import data other than the above from an ESG report, you can create a custom data source and define mapping(s) and, if necessary, transformations and/or aggregations as described in the previous sections.
{% /warning-box %}