Performing Common Operations
Visitran offers two powerful approaches to data transformation: the No-Code UI for visual, point-and-click operations, and Formula Columns for Excel-style transformations. This section provides practical guidance on performing common data operations using both methods.
Two Approaches to Transformation
Using the No-Code UI
The No-Code UI provides an intuitive, visual interface for common data operations. Perfect for:
- Quick transformations without writing formulas
- Operations that apply to entire tables (joins, sorts, filters)
- Users who prefer visual tools
- Exploratory data analysis
Explore No-Code UI Operations →
Using Formula Columns
Formula Columns leverage Excel-compatible formulas for powerful, flexible transformations. Ideal for:
- Row-level transformations with custom logic
- Complex calculations and text manipulation
- Users familiar with Excel formulas
- Reusable transformation patterns
Explore Formula Column Operations →
Common Operation Categories
Data Organization
- Joining tables to combine data from multiple sources
- Sorting and filtering to organize your data
- Removing duplicates with unique/distinct operations
Column Management
- Showing and hiding columns
- Combining multiple columns
- Adding calculated columns
Data Cleaning
- Removing extra spaces
- Standardizing text case
- Replacing values
Data Validation
- Checking for blank values
- Validating data types
- Conditional logic
Calculations
- Mathematical operations
- Aggregations (sum, average, min, max)
- Date and time calculations
Which Approach to Use?
| Operation Type | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| Table-level operations (joins, sorts) | No-Code UI |
| Row-level calculations | Formula Columns |
| Simple column transformations | Either (your preference) |
| Complex logic with conditions | Formula Columns |
| Aggregations across rows | Both (context-dependent) |
Getting Started
Choose the approach that best fits your use case:
- Using the No-Code UI → - Visual, point-and-click operations
- Using Formula Columns → - Excel-style formula transformations
Both approaches can be combined within the same model to create powerful, flexible data transformations.