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What are Data Profiles?

Data Profiles in Decode are essentially saved templates or shortcuts designed to make your file upload process faster and more consistent.

The Purpose: Streamlining Tagging​

When you upload data, you often need to apply the same set of Metadata Tags repeatedly. For example, every monthly premium bordereau you receive from "Wholesaler A" for "Contract C12345" might need to be tagged with:

  • Wholesaler = Wholesaler A
  • Contract ID = C12345

Instead of manually selecting these three tags every single time you upload a file fitting this description, you can create a Data Profile (perhaps named "Wholesaler A - Contract C12345 Premiums") that contains these default tags.

How They Work​

  • Table-Specific: Data Profiles are defined per Table. A profile created for your "Premiums" table won't be available when uploading to your "Claims" table.
  • Pre-defined Tags: Each profile stores a specific combination of Metadata Categories and their chosen Values.
  • Upload Selection: When you upload a file, instead of selecting individual tags, you can simply choose the relevant Data Profile from a dropdown list.
  • Automatic Tagging: Decode automatically applies the default tags defined in the selected profile to your uploaded file and the resulting data rows.
  • Possible Values: Each data profile maintains a set of possible values specific to that data profile. This allows you to specify preferred mapping configurations per data profile.
  • Overrides Possible: Even when using a profile, you usually have the option to add extra tags or change a default tag for that specific upload if needed (though using profiles promotes consistency).

Benefits of Using Data Profiles​

  • Saves Time: Drastically reduces the number of clicks needed during file upload.
  • Ensures Consistency: Minimizes errors from manually selecting tags each time, ensuring data is categorized uniformly.
  • Simplifies Workflow: Makes the upload process easier, especially for users who handle many similar files regularly.
  • Semantic Grouping: Clearly associates uploads with predefined business contexts (like specific contracts or wholesalers).

By setting up Data Profiles for your common upload scenarios (e.g., one profile per active contract/wholesaler combination), you significantly improve the efficiency and reliability of getting data into Decode.

Next, learn how to Create and Manage Data Profiles.