---
title: "Create and configure a Dataset"
slug: "create-and-configure-a-dataset"
description: "Learn what Datasets are in Board, how Developers define them via the Dataset Catalog or Layouts, and how they support Foresight workflows and the M365 Excel Add-in."
tags: ["Design Mode", "Dataset", "Layout Editor", "Layout", "Developer"]
status: "update"
updated: 2026-11-04T08:06:02Z
published: 2026-11-04T08:06:02Z
canonical: "help.board.com/create-and-configure-a-dataset"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.board.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create and configure a Dataset

> [!CAUTION]
> 💡This article contains **version changes.** Spot the light bulb icon? That means you’ll find helpful details about what’s changed across versions. Read more about version changes [here](/v14/docs/before-you-begin#How-to-navigate-this-Knowledge-Base).

A Dataset is a semantic layer of data that enhances self-service capabilities in the Board platform. It allows users to interact with data without needing to know in detail all the data structures of a Data Model.

This articles covers:

- [How to create a Dataset](/v15/docs/clone-datasets#how-to-create-a-dataset)
  - 💡[Maximum number of Datasets](/v15/docs/create-and-configure-a-dataset#💡maximum-number-of-datasets)
  - 💡[Data Attributes](/v15/docs/create-and-configure-a-dataset#💡data-attributes)
- [Interact with Datasets in Board](/v15/docs/clone-datasets#interact-with-datasets-in-board)
  - [Board AI Agents](/v15/docs/create-and-configure-a-dataset#board-ai-agents)
  - [Board M365 Excel Add-in](/v15/docs/create-and-configure-a-dataset#the-new-excel-addin)
  - [Board Foresight](/v15/docs/create-and-configure-a-dataset#board-foresight)

## How to create a Dataset

From the [Dataset Catalog](/v15/docs/datasets#the-dataset-catalog), Developers can create and manage Datasets.

> [!NOTE]
> The [maximum number of Datasets](/v15/docs/create-and-configure-a-dataset#💡maximum-number-of-datasets) is 100 per type.

To create a Dataset:

1. Access the [Dataset Catalog](/v15/docs/datasets#the-dataset-catalog).
2. Click on the plus icon situated on top of the Dataset Catalog. ![Navigation menu showing Data Models and Dataset Catalog options for data management.](https://cdn.document360.io/8d6f1ae8-0cac-4d0d-a208-6245b83df94a/Images/Documentation/Group 73.png)
3. 💡Choose the type of Dataset you want to create.

**AI Dataset**. Use this Dataset type when you want to use the Dataset with Board AI Agents.

**Standard Dataset**. Use this Dataset type for all other purposes. ![Options to create new AI and Standard datasets in the catalog interface.](https://cdn.document360.io/8d6f1ae8-0cac-4d0d-a208-6245b83df94a/Images/Documentation/Dataset.types.png)
4. Enter a name and description in the "Data Properties" section of the create/edit panel. **Dataset Name**. The name of the Dataset. Board shows this name in [all features that use Datasets](/v15/docs/create-and-configure-a-dataset#interact-with-datasets-in-board).

**Dataset Description**. Developer-defined explanation of the Dataset.
5. Click “Edit Dataset Data” to configure the data for this Dataset. Learn more about the [Quick Layout](/v15/docs/the-quick-layout).

> [!NOTE]
> By design, you can copy a Layout from a Dataset to a Screen, but you cannot copy a Layout from a Screen to a Dataset.
6. 💡Review the Data Attributes Table. The table shows the Data Attributes that exist in the Data Configuration Layout.
7. Click “CREATE”.

![Overview of dataset properties and configuration for product quantity sold analysis.](https://cdn.document360.io/8d6f1ae8-0cac-4d0d-a208-6245b83df94a/Images/Documentation/Dataset.panel.png)

### 💡Maximum number of Datasets

You can create up to 100 AI Datasets and 100 standard Datasets in the Dataset Catalog.

A counter at the bottom of the Dataset Catalog shows how many Datasets of each type exist and the maximum number allowed. Board also shows the counter when you select the plus icon to create a Dataset and when you open the Creation or Edit panel for AI Datasets and standard Datasets.

![Configuration settings for the Product Quantity Sold dataset and its attributes.](https://cdn.document360.io/8d6f1ae8-0cac-4d0d-a208-6245b83df94a/Images/Documentation/Dataset.type.counters.png)

When you reach the limit for each Dataset type, Board shows a red error message preventing the creation of more Datasets of that type. To create another Dataset, delete or merge Datasets that you no longer need.

### 💡Data Attributes

Data Attributes help users understand the purpose of each element in a Dataset. They can improve Dataset search, reuse, and collaboration through business-friendly descriptions for each Data Attribute. Data attributes are also used by AI Agents with some provisions. Read about [how AI uses attributes and best practices](/v15/docs/best-practices-for-ai-datasets#when-to-write-data-attribute-descriptions) on how to write them for your AI Agents.

After you configure the Layout in the "Data Configuration" section of the create/edit Dataset panel, the "Data Attributes Table" appears.

The "Data Attributes Table" lists the different elements used in the Dataset data configuration Layout.

The table includes the following columns:

- **Attribute Name**. Name of the Attribute in the Layout.
- **Attribute Description**. The description of the Data Attribute. The description can contain up to 1000 characters.
- **Layout Data**. Original name of the Attribute in the Layout preceded by the symbol of what data structure it represents.
  - ![](https://cdn.document360.io/8d6f1ae8-0cac-4d0d-a208-6245b83df94a/Images/Documentation/brd-function.png) represents an Algorithm
  - ![](https://cdn.document360.io/8d6f1ae8-0cac-4d0d-a208-6245b83df94a/Images/Documentation/bars-sort.png) represents an Entity
  - ![](https://cdn.document360.io/8d6f1ae8-0cac-4d0d-a208-6245b83df94a/Images/Documentation/cube(1).png) represents a Cube
  - ![](https://cdn.document360.io/8d6f1ae8-0cac-4d0d-a208-6245b83df94a/Images/Documentation/brd-rules.png) represents a Rule
  - ![](https://cdn.document360.io/8d6f1ae8-0cac-4d0d-a208-6245b83df94a/Images/Documentation/percent.png) represents a Ranking
- **Layout Elements**. The section of the Layout where the data Attribute is used.

To add or edit a Data Attribute description:

1. In the "Data Attributes Table", select the Data Attribute that you want to update.
2. The “Edit Data Attribute” window opens. Enter a description in "Attribute Description".

#### Suggested descriptions

Alternatively, you can also reuse one of the suggested descriptions when the same Entity or Cube is already in use in other Datasets. To do so, click on “Use suggested description”, choose the description from the list and click “confirm”.
3. Select "Save" to save the Attribute.

> [!NOTE]
> In this popup window, only "Attribute Description" can be edited.

## Interact with Datasets in Board

Datasets are not visible in Capsules or Screen Objects. Users interact with Datasets through other features in Board.

### [Board AI Agents](/v15/docs/about-board-ai-agents)

The Datasets feature will play an important role in allowing the Developer to prepare a set of queries that represent the best data to be used by Board AI Agents.

Datasets define data context for Board AI Agents.

Developers create Datasets optimized for AI responses.

### [Board M365 Excel Add-in](/v15/docs/about-board-for-microsoft360-excel-add-in)

The new Excel Add-in defaults to using Datasets for data extraction from Board, leveraging the same backend technology utilized by the Flex Grid Object. The user will do all the data manipulation inside Excel. Users using the Excel M365 Add-in simply need to pick the Dataset that they wish to use and go directly to the pivoting stage to create custom views – there is no need to use the Layout editor.

### [Board Foresight](/v15/docs/about-board-foresight)

The purpose of a Dataset in Board Foresight is to enable the sharing of specific data with Foresight to enable the user to create a forecast which will then be returned to Board, automatically stored in a Cube and made available for the Developer to add to Screens.

- Enables secure, structured data sharing with Foresight.
- Forecasts are generated in Foresight, returned to Board, and stored in Cubes.
- Data Models are abstracted from the API interface.

> [!WARNING]
> **Datasets known limitations**
> 
> - Any key change like Entity renaming will require a recreation of the Dataset - Already created datasets will not adapt to the key data structure changes made after creation
> - Data Entry, Detail By & Total By are not supported in the Layout settings of a Dataset​
> - Nexel, Dynamic Options, Sparklines, Column Appearance are not visible in Datasets

An Algorithm (aka Column Algorithm) is a type of Data Block whose values are calculated with a formula based on other Data Blocks in the Layout, e.g. *c = (a - b) / b 100*. Algorithms can return numeric, text, date, or picture (image) values. Algorithm formulas use the letters assigned to each Data Block for calculating content and are always executed on the fly. Its results are not saved in the Data Model. An Algorithm formula supports arithmetic operators (+, −, , /, %, ^) and comparison operators (=, <>, >, >=, <, <=). Text operations include concatenation (&) and substrings via LEFT, RIGHT, and MID. Logical functions include AND, OR, IF, IFERROR, ISERROR, ISTEXT, ISNONTEXT, and ISNUMBER. Aggregate functions can reference column, row, and grand totals e.g. dt(), rt(), gt(). Date/time functions include DATE, DAY, MONTH, YEAR, and TODAY. Lookup functions such as INDEX, MATCH, OFFSET, and COLUMN are supported. Math utilities include ABS, ROUND, and SUBTOTAL.

An Entity is a taxonomical dimension defined as a set of homogeneous items, each identified by a unique Code and Description, by which data can be organized, filtered, and summarized in Cubes and Layouts.

The individual values of an Entity are called Members; for example, the Entity called 'Month' might have Members such as Apr.2010, May.2010, Jun.2010, Jul.2010, etc.

Entities provide the structural axes of the multidimensional Data Models, and Relationships define the many-to-1 links between them.

A Cube in Board is the multidimensional data-storage Object in Board’s FP&A system. Its dimensions are usually Entities or Relationships whose intersections are cells that hold values, enabling drill, slice/dice, forecasting, spreading, workflow inputs, and auditable planning.

The values can be numeric, text, date, or BLOB values (images and files). New or modified Cube values can be written back to the Engine's Data Models via the Data View and Flex Grid Objects.

Numeric cells allow top-down allocation via "Split & Splat" and aggregate recomputation. Cubes can be computed with Dataflows/Algorithms, secured with Cube visibility, and created as MOLAP or RDB architectures.

A Cube can have up to 256 versions, although generally most Cubes have only one version.

A Rule in Board is a declarative formula mapped to an Entity (i.e. applied per Member), which executes on-the-fly during Layout execution (or in a Dataflow step when targeted) to compute values like percentages, ratios, or other non-additive calculations that cannot be derived via simple aggregation.

A Rule is referenced from Block settings in a Layout and requires the Entity on which it is defined to be present By Row or By Column in that Layout.

A Reverse Rule is a data-entry logic mechanism that defines how values manually entered into an aggregated cell are proportionally distributed to the underlying detail levels of a Cube. It enables "top-down" data input by translating a single aggregate value into a set of base-level values according to predefined allocation criteria.