Data Objects are foundational components in Assette’s data architecture. They define how data is made available for use in content—such as reports, dashboards, Data Docs, or visualizations. Whether you are building a monthly client report or exporting holdings to Excel, Data Objects ensure that the data you work with is accurate, consistent, and aligned with your firm’s business rules.
This article offers a conceptual overview of what Data Objects are, what they do, and how they operate within the Assette platform.
What is a Data Object? #
A Data Object is a reusable, configurable unit that represents a specific dataset retrieved from the Data Block layer. Each Data Object defines:
- What data to retrieve
- How to structure the data
- How to label and format data
- What calculations (if any) should be embedded
Data Objects serve as a bridge between raw source data and the content you build in Assette.
What Do Data Objects Do? #
1. Control Data Presentation #
They define field labels, numeric formats, display rules, and hierarchies, so the same data is presented consistently across reports, tables, and exports.
2. Enable No-Code Reuse #
Once created, Data Objects can be reused in:
- Reports
- Charts
- Commentaries
- Data Docs
- Dashboards
This supports operational efficiency and minimizes duplication.
3. Apply Business Logic #
Data Objects embed business rules—such as filtering out closed accounts or excluding zero-value rows—ensuring that logic is applied consistently at the data layer.
How Do Data Objects Work? #
At a high level, each Data Object consists of the following elements:
1. Data Source Mapping #
A Data Object maps to one or more source systems via Assette’s data integration framework via Data Blocks. This connection ensures the object can pull live or refreshed data as needed.
2. Field Definitions #
Each Data Object contains a defined list of fields (columns), including:
- Field name and label
- Data type (e.g., date, number, string)
- Formatting rules (e.g., percentage, currency)
- Sort order and default filters
3. Filtering and Parameters #
They can accept parameters (such as a specific date, account ID, or benchmark) passed from a Content Plan or UI selection, allowing for context-sensitive outputs.
Benefits of Using Data Objects #
- Data Consistency: Eliminates discrepancies by centralizing logic
- Operational Efficiency: Define once, use across multiple outputs
- Governance and Control: Aligns with firm standards for data use
- Business Agility: Empowers users to create content without re-engineering data
- Scalability: Supports wide reuse across client, sales, and internal audiences