In Excel, when users need to stack two tables with the same schema (i.e., identical field names and columns), they often resort to manual copying and pasting, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. The Stack Tool in Savant automates this process, allowing users to quickly and efficiently stack two tables on top of each other.
Add a Stack tool
1. Navigate to your Analysis.
2. Click this icon.
3. Click Stack.
👉 You may need to manually connect the second table to the second input node of the Stack tool.
Configuration
Add a Stack tool to your Canvas.
Connect the second table that you want to stack with your first table to the second input node of the Stack tool. The tool has two input nodes for two input connections.
Hit “Bootstrap” to standardize the schema requirements of the Stack tool. Bootstrapping ensures that both tables have compatible schemas for stacking.
If required, you can deduplicate records with the same values in all columns by selecting the “Deduplicate” checkbox.
Finally, click Apply.
Boostrapping
The purpose of Bootstrapping is to standardize the schema requirements of the Stack Tool, ensuring that both tables meet the necessary criteria for successful data merging. This process involves establishing a common structure between the two tables, aligning field names and data types, which allows Savant to perform the stack operation effectively.
Schema Configuration
Once Bootstrapping is applied to the Stack Tool, the schema of both tables is "frozen" at that moment. This means that the field names and data types of the tables that existed during the Bootstrapping process become the permanent schema requirements for the Stack Tool. Any changes made to the schemas of the connected tables after Bootstrapping will not be reflected in the Stack Tool configuration.
Mapping
After Bootstrapping, the Mapping window in the configuration displays the mapping of the two table sources, along with their data types and any newly appended names. For columns to be mapped together from the two separate tables, they must have the same field name and data type.
If columns have different field names, they will be stacked one on top of the other without any appended values for records with different field names.
If columns have the same field names but different data types, Savant will automatically rename the second instance of the duplicate named column and append the value “(rhs)”.
Deduplication
The Stack Tool also offers the option to deduplicate records, which can be useful when there are identical records across both tables. By selecting the "Deduplicate" option, you can eliminate any duplicate records to ensure data integrity.