Combine data with Link

The Link transform connects nodes with equivalent property values through edges of a new or existing relationship. Properties can be linked even if the property names differ, especially useful for combining data from different sources. Link can also be used to explicitly draw a connection among nodes within a data set.

Examples use the open-source dataset for the HBO Game of Thrones series. For a hands-on exercise see our How to GraphXR tutorials.

The Game of Thrones Characters.csv file includes the characterName property, while the Lines.csv file includes the speaker property. Although named differently, the two properties have matching values: the name of the character in the show. We can use those properties to create a relationship between lines of dialog and the character who spoke them.

If a property is missing, or the values do not match, a link will not be created. To correct this, you can select and inspect unconnected nodes and if appropriate, edit the property values.

To Link nodes by property value:

  1. To operate on the entire data set, deselect all the data.

  2. Open the Transform panel and Link subpanel.

    In this example, we’ll link characters to the lines they spoke.

    For easier visualization, the data for each category are arranged using Geometric layouts.

  3. Select the following details for the Source and Target category and property:

    • Source Category: Characters

    • Source Property: characterName

    • Target Category: Lines

    • Target Property: speaker

  4. In Create Relationship, enter SPOKE .

  5. In Choose relationship direction, click one of the options: undirected, source to target, or target to source.

    06 05 01 LinkSetup

  6. In Options, select a Matching Recipe. The default is Exact.

    06 05 02 LinkMatching

    More flexible matching options are Case Insensitive and Custom.

  7. Click the Run button, which also shows how many nodes are involved. Log error and completion messages appear below the Run button.

    The new SPOKE relationship appears in the legend, and Characters nodes now have new directional SPOKE edges connected to their respective Lines nodes.

    06 05 03 LinkLinesDone