Creating a virtualized table from files by using a remote connector in Data Virtualization

You can use data that is stored as CSV, TSV, and Excel files on remote data sources to create virtual tables. Segment or combine data from one or more files to create a virtual table.

1. On the navigation menu, click Data > Data virtualization.
   The service menu opens to the Data sources page by default.
2. On the service menu, click Virtualization > Virtualize and then click the Files tab.
   The list of available data sources appears. You can narrow down the displayed assets by using the available filters.
3. Select the remote data source where you want to browse for files.
   The list of files and directories on your data source appears. You can enter a particular path on the host system in the File path field or click the files and directories on the list to go through the host system.

   To edit the remote data source, click Edit connection in the action menu of the remote data source.

4. Select the file that you want to virtualize and click Add to cart.
   • To use the first row of your file as column headings in your virtual table, enable the Use first row as column heading option. If this option is not enabled, you are prompted to specify column names for your virtual file before you add it to your cart.
   • If your file has multiple worksheets, you can select a worksheet to view additional information and add it to your cart.
5. Click View cart to preview your file data selections as a virtual file.
   From this window, you can edit the virtual table name to be created from file data. Additionally, you can edit schema names, remove a selection from your cart, or edit the list of remote files that participate in a merged table.
6. Select the appropriate option to assign the virtual table to be created from file data.

   Assign to	When to use this option
   Data request	Select Data request if you created the virtual table in response to a data request. Then, choose the appropriate request. The table also appears in Virtualized data.
   Project	Select Project if you created the virtual table to use in a specific project. Then, choose the appropriate project. The table also appears in Virtualized data.
   Virtualized data	Select Virtualized data if the table was not created in response to a data request or to use in a specific project. This setting is the default if no data requests or projects exist.

7. Select Publish to catalog if you also want to publish to a selected catalog.
   A list of available catalogs is shown in the drop-down menu. Each catalog is tagged as Governed or Not governed.

   Note: You must have at least one catalog in Watson Knowledge Catalog.

   You must have permission to publish to a catalog. An administrator can enable whether all virtual objects are published to a selected governed catalog, which prevents a user from publishing to a specified catalog.

8. Specify a schema in the Schema field.
   You can also create a schema by following these steps.
   • If you have the Data Virtualization Engineer or User role, leave the Schema field as default to create a schema with your user ID.
   • If you have the Data Virtualization Admin role, leave the Schema field as default to create a schema with your user ID or enter the new schema name in the Schema field.
   For more information, see Creating schemas for virtual objects.
9. Click Virtualize to complete the process.
   When the status window appears, you can select to view your virtualized data or virtualize more data. However, you must wait until virtualization is complete before you navigate away from the page.