Overview

Query Templates in Narrative's Data Collaboration Platform simplify the process of crafting, customizing, and sharing complex data queries. They allow users to abstract away the complexities of query formulation, facilitate query reuse, and enable effective collaboration through shared templates.

Benefits of Using Query Templates

1. Ease of Customization:
   • Simplifies the process of adjusting queries to meet specific data retrieval needs without delving into the intricacies of the query language.
2. Reusability and Sharing:
   • Enables saving, templatizing, and sharing queries for efficient reuse and collaboration.
3. Complexity Management:
   • Reduces cognitive load by allowing users to focus only on modifying essential parts of the query.

Accessing Query Templates

1. Entering Query Template Mode:
   • Navigate to the main UI.
   • Click "Template mode" to enter Query Template Mode.
2. Locating Query Templates:
   • Go to My Data -> Queries -> Query Templates to find and manage your templates.

Using a Query Template

1. Navigate to Query Templates:
   • Go to Queries -> Query Templates.
2. Select a Template:
   • Choose the desired query template from the list.
3. Fill in Placeholders:
   • Replace placeholders with appropriate values as required by the query.
   • Ensure all mandatory placeholders are filled.
4. Execute the Query:
   • Once all placeholders are filled, execute the query to retrieve the data.
   • Optionally, you can save the executed query for future use or share it with team members.

Placeholders in Query Templates

Placeholders are special markers within a query template that denote parts of the query which can be dynamically replaced with user-defined values. They simplify the customization process by allowing users to focus on modifying only the essential elements of a query.

Placeholders can be used to represent various query elements, including but not limited to:

• Literal values: E.g., string, number, boolean values.
• Columns: E.g., specific data columns.
• Filters: E.g., conditions in the WHERE clause.
• Output fields: E.g., columns in the SELECT statement.

Creating and Editing Query Templates

Steps to Create a Query Template

1. Enter Query Template Mode:
   • Click "Template Mode" in the Data Studio UI.
2. Define the Query:
   • Build your query as usual.
   • Insert placeholders where dynamic values should be.
3. Save the Template:
   • Give the template a name, description, and relevant tags.
   • Save the template for future use.

Editing a Query Template

1. Locate the Template:
   • Navigate to Queries -> Query Templates.
2. Select the Template:
   • Click on the template you want to edit.
3. Make Changes:
   • Modify the query or placeholders as needed.
   • Save the changes.

Conclusion

Query Templates in Narrative's Data Collaboration Platform provide a powerful mechanism for simplifying the creation, customization, and sharing of data queries. By utilizing placeholders, users can efficiently manage complex queries, ensuring both flexibility and ease of use.