DATA

DATA("DataSourceName", "TableName", "MeasureName" [, "Unit"])

Tip: You can also insert DATA formulas using the Data button in the Function Editor.

The DATA function references a data table (an uploaded dataset, such as an Excel sheet) directly from within a node formula.

Use this function when you need to bring uploaded data into your Valsight model: DATA("Cost_Upload", "G&A_Upload", "Value").

Parameters

DataSourceNameStringRequired: Name of the data source in double quotes (e.g. "Model Data").
TableNameStringRequired: Name of the table in double quotes (e.g. "Gross_Sales"). If the data source is an Excel Workbook, this is the sheet name.
MeasureNameStringRequired: Name of the measure column in double quotes (e.g. "Price").
UnitStringOptional: Optional unit or ratio of two units. For a single unit, plain double quotes work (e.g. "EUR"). For a ratio, each unit must be wrapped in single quotes (e.g. "'EUR'/'Case'").

Using the Data button

You can also create the function using the Data button in the Function Editor.

This allows you to select the data source, table, and measure from a dropdown menu instead of typing them manually.

Output shape

Dimensionality: Inherits the full dimensionality of the source table
Values: The selected measure column becomes the node value
Row count: Returns all rows from the referenced data table

Watch out

Each DATA node references exactly one measure.
If your table contains multiple measures, create separate DATA nodes for each.
The category columns in your uploaded data (e.g. Region, Product, Month) must match the dimensions and levels configured in your project.
The order of rows in the result may differ from the source table.

Examples

Basic data upload

Prerequisite

An Excel Workbook in the required Valsight format has been uploaded in the data management of Valsight.

Excel worksheet with Cost Category and 2025 values, formatted as required for a Valsight data upload

Excel worksheet with Year, Cost Category, and Value columns after restructuring for upload

Formula: DATA("Cost_Upload", "G&A_Upload", "Value")

Result:

Data Preview of the resulting DATA node, showing G&A costs by category for 2025

The node now contains the complete dataset with all dimensional detail.

Using an explicit unit

You can optionally define a unit for the returned values.

DATA("Cost_Upload", "G&A_Upload", "Value", "EUR")

This returns the same data but explicitly sets the node’s unit to Euro.

Using project variables

Project variables can be placed anywhere within any string parameter, as the full value, a suffix, or embedded in the middle, to dynamically reference data sources or tables. This allows scenarios to switch between different sources without changing the formula.

Pattern	Example
Variable as full parameter	`DATA("$DataSourceName", "TableName", "MeasureName")` or `DATA("DataSourceName", "$TableName", "MeasureName")`
Variable appended to a prefix	`DATA("Actuals_$Year", "TableName", "MeasureName")`
Variable embedded mid-string	`DATA("DataSourceName", "Table_$Variable", "MeasureName")`