Creating Data Sets from Existing Tables

Data sets in Cotera connect you to your warehouse data through a simple table selection process. This approach works well when you need to access structured data without writing custom queries.

Getting Started

The New Data Set button opens Cotera's data set creation interface. From here, you can choose between creating custom queries or connecting to existing tables.

Table Selection Process

Select from existing tables provides access to your warehouse through an intuitive browser interface. The schema browser organizes your data by database schemas, while the table list shows available tables within each schema.

This browsing approach lets you explore your data warehouse structure without needing to know specific table names or locations beforehand.

Data Preview

Cotera automatically generates previews when you select a table, showing both structure and sample content. This preview helps you verify that the table contains the data you expect before creating the data set.

The preview eliminates the need to create test queries or examine table schemas separately.

Saving and Access

Once you've confirmed your table selection, the save process requires only a descriptive name for future reference. The data set becomes immediately available in your workspace sidebar.

When to Use This Approach

Table-based data sets work best when:

• Your data is already properly structured in the warehouse
• You need straightforward access to complete tables
• You want to avoid writing custom transformation logic
• Multiple team members need access to the same standardized data

For more complex data transformations or custom filtering, consider using EraQL queries instead of direct table connections.