Use the Table of Contents below to jump to particular instructions.
Table of Contents:
Important Terminology
Basic SmartConnector™ Setup Steps
Steps Specific to Creating a Multi-Level SmartConnector™
What is the Multi-Level SmartConnector™?
This SmartConnector™ feature allows you to join two or more datasets in a hierarchical structure. For example, if you have multiple datasets that you would like to show up in TapClicks as a single data source, you can use the multi-level feature to make the association between these datasets.
Here is an example to help explain:
You have collected data about campaigns and leads. These could be in separate files, separate tabs in a file, or separate tables in a database. One dataset pertains to information about the campaigns running. The other is information about the leads from the campaign. The campaign dataset contains things like the campaign name and metrics pertaining to the campaign. The leads dataset contains information such as their name, personal info, and the name of the campaign that procured the lead. On both forms, you collect Campaign Name.
The parent, or top level of the SmartConnector™, would represent the campaign data where you would make Campaign Name the unique identifier of this dataset. The child, or lower level of the SmartConnector™, would be the leads data. The two datasets would be associated using the Campaign Name field available in both datasets.
A multi-level SmartConnector™ is simply a way to join multiple datasets. The levels in the multi-level name refer to the parent-child relationship among data. The parent data is the one you relate the others to by making the association for a specific field or set of fields.
Important Terminology
When building a multi-level SmartConnector™ it helps to be familiar with a few terms and concepts used in this article.
Data Table
Think of a data table as one tab in a spreadsheet. You might have data on multiple tabs but they aren't necessarily connected together.
Join
Many people are familiar with the concept of merging tables. When you compile multiple Excel tabs into one single tab, you are effectively merging the data. To join data, you are connecting separate data tables together using a common field. The data stays in separate places but you have made an association among them.
Relational Field
When joining two or more data tables, the field or fields used to associate the data tables is called the relational field. In the example above, Campaign Name was the relational field. You can use it to inform the system that the various data tables are related.
How to Create a Multi-Level SmartConnector™
Basic SmartConnector™ Setup Steps
If you want to skip to just the multi-level steps, please click here.
1] Log in to TapClicks and, on the Data menu, click SmartConnectors.
2] The SmartConnectors™ list appears.
3] In the upper-right corner, click the Add SmartConnector (plus sign) icon to create a new SmartConnector™.
4] Provide a name and other details.
5] Select a Delivery Type from the dropdown. In this example, we will use the Manual Upload delivery type.
| Note: The multi-level SmartConnector™ feature will work with all delivery types. |
6] Click Select Sample File and choose the first file you want to upload.
7] Click Upload.
8] A field mapping section will appear. Verify the fields are correctly mapped by ensuring the suggested field types are accurate for the data you have provided (dates for a date field, numbers for a number field, etc.).
| Note: There are three pieces of data required to make a SmartConnector™ functional: at least one date field, at least one field that associates with a client record, and at least one number field. |
9] Select the field or fields that will define the uniqueness of your dataset. You will need to map these unique fields to any other data table you join to this one. Effectively, these are your relational fields. For more information about unique fields, see this article.
10] Click Save Changes.
Steps Specific to Creating a Multi-Level SmartConnector™
Once you have saved changes on your SmartConnector™, the option will appear at the bottom of the page to add sublevels. A sublevel is simply another data table you want to join with the one you have already created.
1] Click the (plus sign) next to SmartConnector™ Sublevels.
2] The new page is nearly identical to the previous SmartConnector™ creation page. Fill out the details using the previous steps to include the name of the sublevel, delivery type, and field mappings.
3] Once you upload your sample file, the field mapping section will appear again. Configure your fields as you did on the previous page.
4] Once your fields are configured, you will notice two new sections: Parent Inheritance and Expose Parent Field.
| Note: The dropdown options in the Parent Inheritance field are the unique fields you chose in the first SmartConnector™ mapping step. All of these will need to be mapped to the same data as it exists in the new sublevel file. |
5] The Parent Inheritance fields are the unique fields you chose in the first SmartConnector™ mapping step. All of these will need to be mapped to the same data as it exists in the new sublevel file. These are the relational fields and it is how the two levels of the SmartConnector™ are connected.
6] The Expose Parent field, unlike the Parent Inheritance fields, are fields that are not present at the sublevel but that you would like to bring down to it.
7] After you have selected these options, click Save Changes.