Automating Data Processing with Data Visualization

Though it shares a database with Analytics, Data Visualization offers unique functionality that can streamline data processing and reduce the need for manual data cleaning. George Mason University Libraries has been exploring the potential in the tool’s data flow capabilities to automate data preparation for recurring projects, saving staff work-hours and headaches. This presentation will begin with an overview of projects that have used data flows, where it was helpful, its limitations, and what we have yet to explore. We will then do a deep dive into the data flow UI with a live demonstration including possible steps in a data flow, the UI for incorporating joins and formulas, documenting your data cleaning steps, and uploading a replacement data file.