Step 3 - Match Tables

In this step, the Vital Checks: Database to Database Wizard automatically matches the tables and fields of source and target based on their names:

To match tables, the Wizard looks for target tables whose names are either an exact match to the source table name or at least contain the source table name. The target table name can consist of more characters than the source table name, but not fewer.

If there are several target tables that contain the source table name, the Wizard prioritizes them by length: shortest path first. For example, to match a table named person, the Wizard will choose a target table called DWperson over a target table named DW_person.
To match columns, the Wizard initially looks for an exact match. If there is no exact match, the Wizard uses the closest match. For instance, if you have a source column named Example, a target column named EXample and another target column named EXAMPLE, the Wizard matches the source column Example with the target column EXample.

You can also match your tables manually or you can match your tables with external mapping files. Use an external mapping file if you have to enter a large number of matches.

Match tables

The column Source / Target Fields indicates how many fields are in the source and in the target.

The column Field Status indicates unmatched fields in the respective row. Hover over the icon with your mouse to get a brief error description.

The sections Source Table Usage and Target Table Usage contain tables which could not be matched. To see a list of all tables, enable the checkbox next to Show already matched tables.

Tosca BI supports multiple matches for one table. The Used column indicates how many times an individual table was used to match another table. For information on how to create multiple matches, see chapter "Multiple matches for one table".

Change an existing field match

To change an existing field match, follow the steps below:

Double-click the respective Source Table or Target Table in the top section, i.e. the one displaying all matched tables.
In the subsequent dialog, select the field you want to use as your new match.

Select a different field for a match

Export Matches

You can export manual matches as a CSV file. When you re-run your Vital Checks tests, you can match your tables with this file instead of having to re-do all manual matches.

To export matches as a file, follow the steps below:

In Step 3 - Match Tables, click Export matches to file.

Click Export matches to file in the Vital Checks: Database to Database Wizard

In the subsequent dialog, choose where you want to save the file and click Save.

Select tests

Once you have matched your source and target tables, select the tests you want to run on them.

By default, the Vital Checks: Database to Database Wizard selects the following test types:

Test type	Definition
Meta	Metadata tests compare predefined table definitions against the current table definition.
Comp	Completeness tests check row counts on file or table level.
Uniq	Uniqueness tests check if there are primary key violations in target databases. Use this test if the target data source does not enforce constraints.
Ref	Referential Integrity tests check the primary and foreign key relationship in target databases.
Null	Nullness tests read nullness constraints from the source database and verify that these constraints have not been violated in the target database.

Deselect any tests you do not wish to run by disabling the respective checkbox. Alternatively, you can disable tests via the context menu:

Disable tests via the context menu

Once you have matched your tables and selected your tests, click Next step to continue with Step 4 - Template Selection.