A Data Extract is a local file containing data extracted from a Data Source. Data Extracts allow sharing Workbooks in an offline fashion so that whoever opens the Workbook does not need to be directly connected to a database server as a datasource. Data Extract files have the file extension .vize and will get contained in Packaged Workbooks (.vizx files) when exporting or saving as Packaged Workbook files. Data Sources that use Extracts have icons that contain a blue cylinder.
Creating Extracts
To create an Extract you must already be connected to a Data Source. Data Sources that do use Extracts display a blue cylinder in the Data Pane. Data Sources that do not use Extracts are displayed only as gold cylinders in the Data Pane without blue cylinders in front of them.
1. Right-click on the data source and choose [Extract Data].
2. You will be prompted to save your Extract and give it a name.
3. The icon in your Data Pane will change to include a blue cylinder indicating it now uses an Extract.
Right-click on this Data Source in the Data Pane and notice the checkmark by [Use Extract], indicating it is currently in use.
Extracts are immediately put to use when they are created and they are not saved with the Workbook until you save. Reopening a Workbook without saving an Extract means you'll be using the original Data Source.
Extract Properties
Once an extract is created you can view its properties by right-clicking on it and selecting [Extract > Properties].
Extract Properties include
- Data Source - The name of the Data Source used to generate the Extract.
- Location - Where the Data Extract (.vize file) resides.
- Query - The statement executed to retrieve the data from the server that created the extract.
- Max Results - The maximum number of rows set to be retrieved by the query as indicated in the Query Analyzer's Max Results form.
Refreshing Extracts
An Extract can be refreshed from its Data Source so that changes in the source can be pulled into the Extract.
To refresh an Extract, right-click on its Data Source in the Data Pane and select [Extract > Refresh] from the menu.
A dialog will appear to inform you of the status of the refresh as it progresses.
It's also possible to use the [Data > Refresh All Extracts] menu or Toolbar Button, which will refresh all of the extracts in a Workbook's Data Pane. This menu choice is only enabled for Workbooks using extracts.
When [Refresh All Extracts] is used a dialog appears listing every Extract that will be refreshed.
Auto Refreshing Extracts
When [Data > Auto Refresh...] is enabled, any data sources which are set for Auto Refresh that contain extracts will also have their extracts refreshed automatically using the Refresh Frequency (seconds, minutes, hours) you have input. See Auto Refresh on the Refreshing Data page for more.
Removing Extracts
If you need to remove an Extract, right-click on its Data Source in the Data Pane and choose [Extract > Remove] from the menu.
You have two options when removing an Extract to pick from in the [Remove Extract] Dialog.
You can choose to [Remove the extract], which leaves the .bide extract file in place for use later.
You can choose to [Remove and delete the extract file] which deletes the .vize extract file.
Removing an Extract does not remove its Data Source. Removing a Data Source requires using the right-click [Close] menu.