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Salesforce Analytics for Analytics Newbies - Dataflow


I debated naming this post "dataflow for dummies", but mom says that "dummies" is a naughty word.  Adults seem to say a lot of words that are taboo for a baby like me.  I would share some of them, but my mom might find out and put me in time out.

Let's start with definitions- What is a dataflow and why would you need one?  A dataflow is:
  • A way to bring data from Salesforce into an analytics project
  • A place to combine data from multiple datasets
  • A simple way to manipulate data without code.
Here's an example of a dataflow from the Einstein Analytics Data Preparation Specialist Superbadge.









HINT: If you are having trouble with this superbadge, click here to link to a thread on the Salesforce developer community that should help.  Also, peruse these articles from help.Salesforce.com:  Create Datasets with Dataflow.  You are always welcome to ask me for help by leaving a comment!

One more quick definition before we dive into the different options within dataflow: JSON
JSON is a programming language, but don't worry, you don't have to be a JSON expert to pass the superbadge!  The most important thing to know is that you can download the JSON for a dataflow in order to save your progress.  If you download the JSON, then do something that causes your dataflow to no longer run, you can always upload the JSON to start over.  If you are feeling keen to learn more about JSON, this 134 page reference guide may be of interest: Analytics Dashboard JSON Reference


It's time for *cue a deep voice* dataflow transformations...also known as "the buttons on the dataflow editor."  If you are tired of reading the Trailhead Baby blog, you can always peruse a few Salesforce resources:


Next up: Dataflow transformations round 2!  Formulas, filters, and more! 

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