Editing folder data sources

You can configure the display of content of data files in folder data sources.

1. Right-click a table that you want to edit.
2. Select Properties > Import Parameters.
3. If available, from the Encoding list, select the encoding type.
4. In Settings, specify how content of the data file is converted into the table. The steps to perform in Settings depend on the type of the data files and correspond to the analogous procedure for imported files. For more information, see topics on importing data files in Specifying conversion options for Excel files in folder data sources and Specifying conversion options for CSV and TXT files in folder data sources .
5. Click Metadata to configure the table fields.
6. Select what columns to include in the result set by checking the check boxes to the left of the Field name column.
7. To edit a column name, click a cell in the Field name column and enter a new name.
8. To specify a different data type, click a cell in the Type column and select a data type from the list. Available options are the following:
   • INTEGER can be used to store signed whole numbers between -2 147 483 648 and 2 147 483 647.
   • BIGINT can be used to store large signed whole numbers between -9 223 372 036 854 775 808 and 9 223 372 036 854 775 807.
   • DOUBLE can be used to store large numbers with a floating decimal point.
   • CHAR is used to store fixed-length string of characters. For example, you can use it to store employee phone number which is generally fixed in length.
   • VARCHAR is used to store variable-length string of characters like employee name.
   • DECIMAL is used to store the fixed precision and scale numbers. This data type should be used for precise values, such as currency.
   • DATE is used to store a date only.
   • TIME is used to store a time only.
   • TIMESTAMP is used to store both a date and a time.

   Note: DATE, TIME, and TIMESTAMP data types support different format options that define how the values are displayed in the result set.

   Note: The supported ranges and the precision of values might vary depending on the database you use.
9. In the Length field, specify a maximum number of characters for the VARCHAR type.
10. In the Precision field, specify a maximum total number of digits for the DECIMAL type.
11. In the Scale field, specify a maximum number of:
    • fractional digits for the DECIMAL type
    • digits in the fractional seconds part for the TIMESTAMP or TIMESTAMP WITH TIMEZONE type
12. In the Preview pane, you can track how each selection changes the layout of the result set.
13. To save the changes and close the dialog, click OK.
14. To save the changes without closing the dialog, click Apply.
15. To restore the original metadata configuration, click Restore Defaults.
16. To cancel the changes to the fields, click Cancel.