Configure custom semantic types - Precisely Data Integrity Suite

Data Integrity Suite
Product
Spatial_Analytics
Data_Integration
Data_Enrichment
Data_Governance
Precisely_Data_Integrity_Suite
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Data_Observability
Data_Quality
dis_core_foundation
Services
Spatial Analytics
Data Integration
Data Enrichment
Data Governance
Geo Addressing
Data Observability
Data Quality
Core Foundation
ft:title
Data Integrity Suite
ft:locale
en-US
PublicationType
pt_product_guide
copyrightfirst
2000
copyrightlast
2026

Use semantic types to classify and validate data. You can create, edit, and delete custom semantic types from the Configuration menu.

Use the following definitions when working with semantic types:

  • Source: Identifies whether the semantic type is built-in or custom.
  • Semantic type attributes: Asset associations identify linked assets; quality scores and governance scores indicate quality and governance posture; location information identifies where data resides; tags support categorization and search; datasource type identifies the source platform; PII indicator flags personally identifiable information.
  • Filter behavior: Base type filters by data type (including date and time variants); Match type filters by regex pattern or list of values; Status filters by active, inactive, or archived.
  • Additional filters on the Semantic Types page: Name, Qualifier, Source, Priority, and Threshold.

To create custom semantic types:

  1. Go to Configuration > Catalog > Semantic Types.
  2. Click Create Semantic Type and enter the following details:
    • Name: Enter a descriptive name (for example, Customer ID or Product SKU).
    • Qualifier: Enter a unique identifier using uppercase letters and underscores (for example, CUSTOMER_ID or PRODUCT_SKU).
      Warning: You cannot change Qualifier after you save the semantic type.
    • Description (optional): Enter details about what this semantic type represents and when to use it.
    • Threshold: Enter the percentage of valid values (0-100) required to apply the semantic type. For example, 95 means 95% of field values must match the criteria.
    • Priority: Enter the evaluation order for profiling. Lower numbers have higher priority (1 is highest).
    • Base data type: Select the data type this semantic type applies to: Boolean, Number (Double), Number (Long), String, Local Date, Local Time, Local Date Time, Offset Date Time, or Zoned Date Time.
  3. Configure Asset Match Criteria.
    • Match type: Select Regex pattern or List of values.
      What's changed: In the new user experience, Base data type appears as Base type, Regex pattern appears as Regex, and List of values appears as List. For more information on the new experience, see About the new user experience.
    • Regex pattern: Enter a pattern in Data value regex, then click Test to validate it.
    • Header regex (optional): Enter a regex for column names, use Test a value to validate it, and click Test.
    • Numeric base types (optional): Set a Value range with minimum and maximum values.
    • List of values: Add valid values in the Values field and click + to add each value. Remove a value by clicking X on its tag.
      Note: The system validates each value against the selected base data type and shows an error if the value is invalid. During semantic type detection, value matching is case-insensitive.
  4. Click Create Semantic Type to save the semantic type.

The semantic type is created, updated, or deleted. Changes take effect immediately and apply to future profiling and classification operations.

After you create, edit, or delete semantic types:

  • Edit a semantic type: Click the ellipsis next to the semantic type name and select Edit to update properties as needed and click Save.
    • Edit options: Name, Description, Threshold, Priority, Base data type, Asset Match Criteria
    • Test a regex pattern: Enter a sample value in Test a data value and click Test. The system validates the pattern against the sample value and shows the result.
      Note: Built-in semantic types have limited editing capabilities. You can modify only the name, description, and display properties. You cannot change matching rules or base data type.
  • Delete a semantic type: Select Delete from the context menu and confirm.
    Warning: Only custom semantic types can be deleted. Built-in semantic types cannot be deleted. If you delete a semantic type that is assigned to assets, those assets will be unassigned. This action cannot be undone.
  • Verify that your changes do not negatively impact existing data classifications.
  • Re-run profiling if you modified matching rules, to validate classification accuracy.
  • Review assets that were unassigned from deleted semantic types and reassign them if necessary.

  • You can also create semantic types from the Configuration menu or from profiling data. If an asset has advanced profiling results with a regex pattern, use Create New Semantic Type from Profile. For more information, see Create a semantic type from profile data.