Getting started

This page will help introduce you to the Preparation interface for cleaning and preparing datasets.

Open a dataset for cleaning and preparation

From a dataset

Choose Clean in Preparation from the Actions menu on any dataset to create a new preparation for that dataset.

From the Preparation screen

Click the Select a dataset... button, and select the dataset to clean/prepare.

Clean and prepare your data

1. Click on a column to see an overview of the data in that column, and apply cleaning and preparation actions.
   • There are two preparation views: Table (which looks like a spreadsheet) and Column (which shows a more compact card for each column).
2. View the basic examples page for various ways to clean and prepare data.

Analyze in Contour while cleaning/preparing

1. Click the Analyze button to open the current preparation in Contour.
2. As you make changes to the preparation, Contour will prompt to update. Click the Update data button in Contour to refresh the analysis based on the preparation.

Save a cleaned or prepared copy of a dataset

1. Click the Save as dataset button in the header bar.

   • By default, this action will create an updating dataset that can be rebuilt based on changes to the underlying data set or changes to the preparation. To save off a one-off dataset, click the arrow beside the Save as dataset button and choose Save one-off dataset.

2. Select where you want the dataset to be saved, then click Save. The dataset will begin building, and you will be notified when it is ready.