v26.01: Working with Read Node
Read nodes retrieve data from various source systems and make it available to downstream nodes in the workflow. The Read category provides eight different node types, each designed for specific data sources.
Available Read Node Types
Node Type |
Description |
Data Source |
|---|---|---|
Metrics |
Accesses data from metrics defined in the workspace. |
Workspace metrics |
Table |
Reads data from tables within the system. |
System tables |
Snippet |
Uses data from existing snippets. |
Saved snippets |
Remote Table |
Connects to and reads from remote tables in external systems. |
Remote databases |
File |
Imports data from uploaded or external files. |
CSV, Excel, and other file formats |
Sheet |
Reads data from sheets including standard sheets, multi-section sheets, and consolidation sheets. |
Workspace sheets |
Master Data |
Accesses master data entities such as hierarchies and reference data. |
Master data objects |
Journal |
Reads journal entries for transactional data. |
Journal entries |
All Read nodes share common configuration elements that define what data to retrieve and how to structure it.
Field |
Description |
Required |
|---|---|---|
Name |
Unique identifier for the node within the workflow. Must follow standard naming validation rules. |
Yes |
Subtype |
The node type selected from the Add Node dialog (Metrics, Table, Sheet, etc.). This field is read-only after selection. |
Yes |
Source |
The specific data source to read from. Click Add to open the source selector showing all authorized sources of the selected subtype. |
Yes |
Layout |
Defines the data structure with three sections: Rows, Columns, and Filters. |
Yes |
Configuration Layout
The Configuration layout section determines which dimensions and metrics to include and how to organize them in the output.
The layout consists of three sections that work together to define the data structure.
Section |
Purpose |
Allowed Elements |
Member Selection |
|---|---|---|---|
Rows |
Defines dimensions that appear as rows in the output data structure. |
Dimensions only |
Context or Fixed members |
Columns |
Defines dimensions or metrics that appear as columns in the output data structure. |
Dimensions or Metrics |
Dimensions: Fixed members only |
Filters |
Defines dimensions used to filter data without displaying them in the output. |
Dimensions only |
Context or Fixed members |
Each dimension in the layout displays with controls for configuration and organization:
Control |
Description |
Available Actions |
|---|---|---|
Filter Icon |
Opens member selector to choose which members to include. |
Select context members or fixed members |
Ellipsis Menu |
Provides organizational options. |
Remove, Move to Columns, Move to Filters, Move to Rows, Move Up, Move Down |
Preferences |
Available for dimensions in Rows section only. |
Opens preference selector to set member display preferences |
Expand/Collapse |
Shows or hides member selections. |
Click to toggle visibility |
Update List
When dimensions are removed from any layout section, they automatically move to the Update List. The Update List maintains all dimensions from the source that are not currently visible in the layout sections.
To restore dimensions from Update List:
- Click Update List button in the configuration panel.
- A selector opens displaying all removed dimensions.
- Select the dimension to restore.
- Choose the target section (Rows, Columns, or Filters).
- The dimension moves from Update List to the selected layout section.
Note: Every dimension from the source must appear either in the Layout sections or in the Update List at all times. This ensures complete data structure definition.
Publishing Read Nodes
After configuring all required fields, click Publish in the Level 2 header to save the node configuration.
The system validates the configuration and displays retrieved data in the grid viewer below the canvas. Data appears in read-only format structured according to the configured layout.
After publishing, two additional controls become available in the Level 2 header:
- Refresh: Re-reads source data and previews unpublished layout changes without requiring a full publish.
- View/Edit Mode: Toggles whether the configuration panel displays while maintaining the read-only data grid.