Object Flagging

Flags at object and column level

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Written by Serge Gershkovich
Updated over a week ago

This feature is available only on Standard Enterprise license.

Object flagging is a data governance feature that allows users to flag columns and database objects for later filtering and identification. Create custom flags like "PII" or "Financial" and apply them to applicable columns or objects (tables, views, functions, etc.) that contain such information.

Flagged objects are then searchable and filterable on the Diagrams, Database Documentation, and Database Explorer.

Multiple flags can be assigned to the same object.

Review Available Flags

Flags can be accessed from the Database Explorer screen in the corresponding object tree:

Every project comes with twelve standard flags and their corresponding icon/color. They are:

  • Grey

  • Purple

  • Pink

  • Red

  • Orange

  • Yellow

  • Green

  • Blue

  • Question

  • Fire

  • Fail

  • Favorite

Flags can not be created or deleted but can be renamed according to project needs.

Flag Properties

Users can change the flag name and review a list of objects with a given tag by selecting it from the Database Explorer screen and focusing on the right-hand panel.

  • Name: change default flag name to something project-specific

  • Flagged Objects: a list of all objects and underlying columns flagged with a given value.

  • Bring Flagged Objects: after reviewing the list of objects, use this button to bring all objects flagged with a given value to the diagram.

Flagging objects on diagrams

Assign existing flags to objects from the diagram or using object properties.

From the diagram

Right-click on any object on the diagram and select a flag from the "Add Flag" menu.

Highlighting a column before a right-click will allow flag assignment for that column instead of the entire table.

Using object properties

Select any object (table, column, procedure, etc.) to open its properties in the right-hand panel.

Expand the "Flags" section, type in the flag's name, and select from the matching suggestions.

Search and filter by flag

Once flags have been assigned to objects, those objects become searchable and filterable within your project.

Search by Flag

Find all objects assigned to a given flag by using the search bar in the Database Explorer screen.

Individual columns will be shown under the corresponding table if flagged.

Filter by Flag

Users can filter the objects displayed on a diagram using the "Objects Filter" option in "Diagram Properties," available in the right-hand panel of any diagram (click on an empty spot on the canvas in case an object was previously selected).

Enter the name of the flag to apply it. Multiple flags can be applied at once, and only objects matching all of them will be displayed.

Note that the filter works at the object level (table, view, procedure, etc.). If a column contains a flag but the parent table does not, the filter will hide the entire table.

Filtering by object color is also possible using this option.

Flagging objects in Database Documentation

Flags can also be maintained from the Database Documentation screen.

Click the "+" icon to add a flag to a column or table or the "x" icon to remove a standing flag.

Flagging objects in Excel

Flags can also be maintained from the Excel export/import function in Database Documentation.

Enter flags next to corresponding objects as a comma-separated list.

See also

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