Use a Data Product

Alation Cloud Service Applies to Alation Cloud Service instances of Alation

This section provides information on how to find, use, and provide feedback on data products.

Understand a Data Product Page

Each data product has a dedicated page with the information you need to decide if it’s useful for your task.

Here’s what you’ll see:

Section

Description

Name and Description

High-level summary of what the data contains and its purpose

Short Summary

A brief overview for quick scanning

Data Preview

A preview of the data tables present in the data product along with some mock data.

Contact Info

Whom to reach out to if you have questions

Delivery Systems

How to connect to the data (Example: SQL link, API endpoint) Use the Request Access and Get Data buttons on the Alation UI to get access to the data This section appears only if delivery systems are specified on the data product YAML file.

Feedback

How to provide feedback or report issues with the product
../../_images/data-products-example.png

Request Access to a Product

To request access perform the following steps:

Important

If you have configured the access request information in the data product YAML file, the Request Access button will appear on the product page. If not, you may need to contact the product owner directly.

  1. Open the required product page that requires access.

  2. Click the Request Access button.

  3. Follow the instructions displayed on the Data Access Request dialog.

Note

If no access instructions are shown, contact the listed product owner or submit feedback.

Use a Data Product

Once you have access, here’s how to use the data:

  1. Open the required data product page.

  2. Go to the Get Data > Delivery Systems section of the product page.

Note

This option appears only if you have specified the delivery systems in the data product YAML file.

  1. Identify the type of system available (Example: SQL, spreadsheet, API).

  2. Click the provided link to open the system, or copy the connection string.

  3. Use your existing credentials or access roles to connect.

You may also find:

  • BI tools (Example: Tableau)

  • File-based links (Example: download CSV or Parquet)

  • Documentation links for help using the dataset

Provide Feedback on a Product

If you have used the product and want to suggest improvements or report an issue:

  1. Go to the product page.

  2. Look for the Feedback section.

  3. Click the Ask a Question or Report a Problem button and enter your comment, questions, or report an issue.

  4. You can also provide your feedback using the Did this product meet your needs? option available on the top of the page.

Your feedback goes directly to the product owner or data producer. You can share the following information:

  • Suggestions for improvements

  • Notes about data quality

  • Requests for additional fields

  • Any problems with access or usability