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Join Data

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This article describes how to use the Join Data component in Azure Machine Learning designer to merge two datasets using a database-style join operation.

How to configure Join Data

To perform a join on two datasets, they should be related by a key column. Composite keys using multiple columns are also supported.

  1. Add the datasets you want to combine, and then drag the Join Data component into your pipeline.

    You can find the component in the Data Transformation category, under Manipulation.

  2. Connect the datasets to the Join Data component.

  3. Select Launch column selector to choose key column(s). Remember to choose columns for both the left and right inputs.

    For a single key:

    Select a single key column for both inputs.

    For a composite key:

    Select all the key columns from left input and right input in the same order. The Join Data component will join the tables when all key columns match. Check the option Allow duplicates and preserve column order in selection if the column order isn't the same as the original table.

    column-selector

  4. Select the Match case option if you want to preserve case sensitivity on a text column join.

  5. Use the Join type dropdown list to specify how the datasets should be combined.

    • Inner Join: An inner join is the most common join operation. It returns the combined rows only when the values of the key columns match.

    • Left Outer Join: A left outer join returns joined rows for all rows from the left table. When a row in the left table has no matching rows in the right table, the returned row contains missing values for all columns that come from the right table. You can also specify a replacement value for missing values.

    • Full Outer Join: A full outer join returns all rows from the left table (table1) and from the right table (table2).

      For each of the rows in either table that have no matching rows in the other, the result includes a row containing missing values.

    • Left Semi-Join: A left semi-join returns only the values from the left table when the values of the key columns match.

  6. For the option Keep right key columns in joined table:

    • Select this option to view the keys from both input tables.
    • Deselect to only return the key columns from the left input.

  7. Submit the pipeline.

  8. To view the results, right-click the Join Data and select Visualize.

Next steps

See the set of components available to Azure Machine Learning.