Creating reference data sets (Watson Knowledge Catalog)

You can create, view, edit, rename, publish, delete, or import values into reference data sets.

Required permissions To create, edit, or delete reference data sets, you must have this user permission:

• Access governance artifacts

Additionally, you must have one of these category collaborator roles in the primary category for the reference data set:

• Admin
• Owner
• Editor
• A custom role with the permission to create reference data sets.

When you create a new reference data set, you can map columns to existing custom columns or new custom columns that you create.

To create a new reference data set, complete the following steps:

1. Choose Governance > Reference data, then click Add reference data set.
2. Click New reference data set to upload CSV file, or to add values manually.

3. Click Add file (optional) to select a CSV file from which to import values for the reference data set.

4. Enter the name and select the type of reference data set:

   • Text: Can be a string or multi-line string.
   • Number: Does not support Boolean, binary, or hexadecimal values.
   • Date: ISO Date time format.

5. Click Change to select a primary category that identifies the artifact, then add a description (optional).

6. If you didn't upload a CSV file, click Create to save reference data set as a draft.

7. Map any of the columns from the CSV file to any of the default columns that you want. The default columns are code, value, description (optional), and parent (optional).

8. Map any of the columns from the CSV file to any custom columns. You can choose an existing custom column or create one.

   1. Click a field under Target columns. You can enter a name to search for an existing column. You can also type the name for a custom column that you want to create, then click the + sign to add it.
   2. If you created a column, choose a type and optionally add a description.
   3. Click Save.
   4. Repeat the previous steps for each column from the CSV file that you want to map.

   5. Select all the columns from the CSV file that you want to add to the new reference data set. Then, click Create. The new reference data set is saved as a draft.

      For more information on custom columns, see Importing files for reference data sets.

You can work with the new reference data set in the following ways:

• Click () to download reference data in CSV file.
• Create your own values by clicking ().
• Assign Related artifacts such as business terms and classifications.
• Import values from a file by selecting Upload file from the action menu next to the reference data name and following the instructions.
• Add related business terms to the values of the reference data set.
• Add a parent value for a chosen value.

When you have finished, decide whether to:

• Close the new reference data in its draft state.
• Click Delete draft to delete the new reference data set.
• Click Send for approval to send it for approval according to your workflow definition.

Learn more

• Import file for reference data sets
• Reference data sets
• Categories
• Relationships between reference data sets