Field lineage zooms into the column level, tracing where specific field originate and how they get propagated between datasets. It reveals the history of individual data fields, showing they are derived and linked to other fields within datasets.
Viewing field-level lineage is a powerful feature that allows you to achieve several important objectives related to data governance, data quality, and regulatory compliance. Here’s what a user can achieve by utilizing this feature:
- Precision in data tracking: Provides detailed visibility into data origins and transformations for accurate tracking.
- Root cause analysis: Pinpoints specific data issues at the field level for effective problem-solving.
- Detailed compliance reporting: Essential for creating compliance reports that document each data field's history.
- Accurate impact analysis: Enables precise analysis of data changes or system upgrades to maintain data integrity.
View lineage for fields
- Navigate to and select the specific field you want to trace lineage for.
- Select the Lineage tab to view the lineage diagram.
- A graphical representation will be displayed, showing the full source-to-target (end-to-end) lineage of the origin Field as it moves through its parent datasets.
- Use the Expand All or Collapse All controls at the bottom of the diagram to manage all fields simultaneously. Alternatively, use the drop-down percentage (%) selector to adjust the zoom level. The origin Field and its related assets will always be visible.
Access field-specific information panel in Lineage diagrams
- Click on a field card in the Lineage diagram to open the Information panel, displaying the field's details including name, type, data quality score, description, business terms, and related assets.
- When you hover your cursor over a field card, location information appears as a tool-tip, uniquely identifying the asset by displaying its full path, including the datasource, schema, dataset, and field name.
- Right-click on a field card to open a context menu with options including Show Information (opens the information panel), Open (opens the asset in a new tab within the current view), and Open in New Tab (opens the asset in a separate browser tab).
- If the Information panel is not visible, click the Information Panel button to reactivate it.
- Inside the Information panel, navigate to the Details tab to view the field's properties and a comprehensive list of related business contexts.