Learning Pentaho Data Integration 8 CE - Third Edition

Modifying the metadata of streams

In the previous sections, you learned several ways to transform data using different PDI steps. There is a particular step already familiar to you, which is available across all the functionalities—the Select values step. Despite being classed as a Transform step, the Select values step does more than just transform data. It allows you to select, reorder, rename, and delete fields, or change the metadata of a field. The configuration window of the step has three tabs:

• Select & Alter
• Remove
• Meta-data

You may use only one of the Select values step tabs at a time. PDI will not restrain you from filling out more than one tab, but that could lead to unexpected behavior.

The Select & Alter tab, which appears ...