---
title: "Using Data Files in Enterprise Test Data"
slug: "using-data-files-in-test-modeller"
description: "This documentation will take you from scanning your data file, creating a definition and then creating versions."
tags: ["Test Data", "Learning Portal", "Test Data Automation", "Test Data Automation 101"]
updated: 2024-09-27T14:46:44Z
published: 2024-09-27T14:46:44Z
canonical: "knowledge.curiositysoftware.ie/using-data-files-in-test-modeller"
---

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

# Using Data Files in Enterprise Test Data

Before you can leverage a data file in Enterprise Test Data it must first be scanned to generate a file schema, followed by the creation of a definition. A definition equips Enterprise Test Data with the necessary information to utilize the file in a Test Data Activity.

Definitions are structured packages that can hold and describe any number of versions of a data file. This versioning feature allows Quality Modeller to discern differences between file versions and track alterations over time.

The file scanning process generates metadata that allows for the analysis of data patterns, comparison of characteristics sets, and identification of data coverage. This information enables you to deploy a Definition in a Test Data Activity enabling the creation of coverage focused synthetic data to shape test messages and files to align with your testing environment. This process also allows for data file masking, effectively eliminating personally identifiable information, consequently reducing potential breaches of information security regulations. Furthermore, it empowers you to enrich files and messages with complex synthetic data generation functions to embed business logic.

This documentation will take you from scanning your data file, creating a definition and then creating versions.

We will use the following documents throughout:

OT_Contacts.csv contains the customer contact file used by Example Corp.

[OT_Contacts.csv](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/OT_Contacts.csv)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187030656.png)

OT_Employees.csv, the file of employees:

[OT_Employees.csv](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/OT_Employees.csv)

OT_Employees.json and OT_Employees.xml versions:

[OT_Employees.json](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/OT_Employees.json)[OT_Employees.xml](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/OT_Employees.xml)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187061820.png)

And OT_Employees with Grade.csv, a new version of the OT_Employees file with hierarchy grades. We’ll use this to demonstrate definition version creation.[OT_Employees with Grade.csv](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/OT_Employees%20with%20Grade.csv)![](https://cdn.document360.io/77f722a6-2d0a-49fa-8074-572515a6c4b8/Images/Documentation/image-1680187067172.png)

Enterprise Test Data is Curiosity's next generation solution for Test Data Management. The all-in-one platform for enterprise test data needs. Understand complex data, remove sensitive information, and generate rich data for your entire organisation.

## Related

- [How to Scan a File](/how-to-scan-a-file.md)
- [Creating a Definition Using an Existing Schema](/creating-a-definition-using-an-existing-schema.md)
- [Creating a Definition Without an Existing Schema](/creating-a-definition-without-an-existing-schema.md)
- [Creating a Definition Without an Existing Schema, Adding One Later](/creating-a-definition-without-an-existing-schema-adding-one-later.md)
- [File Definition Explained](/details-of-a-definition.md)
- [File Versions Explained](/versions-explained.md)