Lineage Mapper

The Lineage Mapper provides a visual, interactive map of how data flows across your ecosystem — from source systems through transformations and pipelines to reports and outputs. K automatically generates lineage across item types, and where automation isn't possible, lineage can be manually added via the UI or API.

You can see where a data item sources its data from, where it flows to, and how it joins to other data items — across tables, reports, datasets, pipelines, and ML models.

Understanding lineage object types

Different object types are colour-coded on the lineage map for quick identification:

Navigating the lineage map

Access Lineage by going to any Data Profile page and clicking the Lineage tab.

The lineage chart reads left to right — items on the left are upstream (they provide data to) of items on the right.

Key navigation tips:

• Items with a + sign have expandable lineage — click to expand

• Click on an automated link (solid line) to see the code or pipeline that connects two items

• The current target asset is highlighted in blue

Display options (in the map toolbar) let you:

• Show reference objects — toggle reference objects on or off

• Show active only — toggle deleted items on or off (useful when reviewing lineage for deleted assets)

Accessing detail on lineage items

When you click on any item or link in the lineage map, a side panel opens showing:

• Item details: tags, collections, descriptions

• Item properties: type, trust score, classification

• Link details (when clicking a connection): the code or pipeline joining the two items, including the actual code used

Adding items to lists, glossaries, and collections from lineage

As you navigate lineage, you can take action directly without leaving the map. Right-click on any data item (excluding reference tables) to:

• Add the item to a list

• Link it to a collection

• Add it to a glossary

You can also update item information directly in the side panel.

Advanced lineage filters

When a lineage map is large, use the Advanced Lineage Filter to focus on the assets you care about. Filters can be set to operate as AND (all conditions must match) or OR (any condition matches).

Updating lineage data

If lineage is missing on a data item, you can manually add it:

1. Go to the data item's Data Profile page

2. Click the Lineage tab

3. Click on the asset you want to edit — the sidebar will appear

4. In the sidebar, click Edit Lineage — a pop-up form will appear

5. Use the form to add or remove manual lineage, either Upstream or Downstream

💡 Related: Use Impact Assessment to scope the downstream blast radius of a change identified through lineage. See the Lineage page for how lineage is surfaced on Data Profile pages.