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Alma Analytics Resource Guide

This guide covers how to use the Alma Analytics platform to produce robust reports. Included are instructions on accessing the Oracle-based service as well as how to use its menu driven service to build custom reports.

How to Join two subject areas in Data Visualization

by Hisham Makki on March 19th, 2024 in Analytics | 0 Comments

Joining Two Subject Areas
in Data Visualization

Author: Hisham Makki, Assistant Director for Data Quality.
Required knowledge: Basic Analytics; Basic DV; Basic SQL.

Contents:

 

 
 

Introduction:

Let’s dive into using Data Visualization (DV) join tables in Alma Analytics. This powerful feature allows you to combine data from multiple related subject areas, enabling more comprehensive and insightful reporting.

Understanding DV "Join" 

  1. What is a "Join"?
    • In database terms, a join combines columns from two or more tables based on related values. Typically, the related columns are the primary key column(s) of one table and the foreign key column(s) of another table.
    • Joins allow you to retrieve data from multiple tables and create meaningful connections between them.
  2. Subject Areas in Alma Analytics
    • Alma Analytics provides various subject areas, each representing a specific aspect of your library data (e.g., Fulfillment, Physical Items, etc.).
    • However, sometimes you need to combine data from different subject areas to gain a holistic view of your library operations.
  3. Using DV Join Tables
    • Suppose you want to create a report that combines information about Fulfillment (e.g., Patron Group) and Physical Items (e.g., Num. of Items).
    • Additionally, you want to group this data by Classification Code.
Here’s how you can achieve this using DV join tables:  

Instructions:

 

Use Alma menu to access Data Visualization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on the "Create" button, then "Dataset":

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Click on “Local Subject Area” icon.

 

Drag the subject areas you’d like to add to the dataset to the right of the screen.

A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated

 

Double click on Physical Items.

Drag the columns you need to Select Columns.

Make sure to add the join dimension "Classification Code" to the list.

Click OK and save the changes.

Double click on Fulfillment.

Drag the columns you need to "Select Columns".

Make sure the "Classification Code" is on the list.

Click OK and save the changes.

 

***Here is how you can make changes to columns headers or add database functions

Click on "Enter Logical SQL" and modify the SQL statement.

A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated

 

Go back to "Join Diagram" tab. Scroll down to see the tabs.

 

Right click on Physical Items box.

Select "Join to -> Fulfillment".

 

Choose your Join type (in this case I suggest joining all from Fulfillment)

Join both subject areas on "Classification Code".

 

Save your dataset.

BTW, you should be able to see the DV datasets in Analytics. Just scroll down the list of subject areas.

A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated

 

 

Resources:

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Blog Table of Contents
Ad Hoc Reports On-The-Fly: A Dream Fulfilled
How to Join two subject areas in Data Visualization
Date-Time Functions in a Nutshell
Concatenations: Concatenate columns and rows in Alma Analytics

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