Purpose of datasets
Datasets are governed, reusable definitions of business data that standardize dimensions, metrics, filters, and data freshness for consistent, controlled reporting.
A dataset is a governed, reusable definition of data for reporting. It acts as a bridge between your raw business data and the reports you create. The dataset defines:
- Dimensions - Fields used for grouping and analysis
- Metrics - Numeric values that can be aggregated (like totals, counts, or averages)
- Filters - Constraints applied to all reports using this Dataset
- Data source and refresh behavior
- Ownership and access permissions
A dataset does not define how your report looks, what charts you create, or when to run automatically. Those are configured when you build the report or create visualizations.
Reasons for using datasets
You can use datasets for the following reasons:
- Reusability - Create a Dataset once and use it for many reports.
- Consistency - All reports using a Dataset have the same definitions.
- Governance - Administrators control what data is available for reporting.
- Discovery - Find data easily through the centralized Dataset Registry.
- Control - Dataset-level filters ensure sensitive data is always properly constrained.
Dataset types
The following are the dataset types:
Standard datasets: These are system-defined by Zuora for common reporting scenarios.
Custom datasets: These are created from your business objects or from logical relationships between data.
Query-based datasets: These are created from a saved or new data query for advanced use cases.
Derived datasets: These are created from an existing dataset, allowing you to build on established definitions.
Dataset freshness modes
The following are the dataset freshness modes:
Live data: Current-state operational reporting, updated continuously.
Aggregated data: Optimized for analytical use cases, with a different refresh cadence suited for trend analysis and historical comparisons.
The dataset details will indicate which freshness mode applies to your data.