menu_book Glossary

Definitions for terms used in Clarity. If you encounter an unfamiliar word while working with Databooks or Reportbooks, look it up here.

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A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | K | L | O | P | R | S | T | U | V

A

Access Control

The rules determining who can view, edit, or manage a Databook or Reportbook. Clarity uses three permission levels: Viewer, Editor, and Owner. Access can be set at the item, folder, or row level.

B

Bookmark

A saved set of Global Filter values in a Reportbook. Applying a bookmark restores that filter state instantly.

  • Private bookmarks are visible only to you
  • Shared bookmarks are visible to all users with Reportbook access
  • Bookmarks store filter criteria, not data - views always show current data
  • One bookmark can be set as Default, loading automatically when the Reportbook opens

C

Clone

A full copy of a Databook or Reportbook, including all content, settings, and bookmarks. The clone is independent - changes do not affect the original.

Use cloning for:

  • Creating working copies for experimentation
  • Making variants for different teams
  • Starting a new item based on an existing template

Column

A field within a Databook table. Each column has:

  • Name - identifier shown in headers
  • Data type - text, number, date, boolean, or list
  • Constraints - validation rules (required, validation list, lookup)

Component

A visual element on a Reportbook page: chart, table, KPI tile, or text block. Each component connects to a Databook table as its data source.

Constraint

A validation rule on a Databook column that restricts what values can be entered.

Types:

  • Data type - text, number, date, boolean, list
  • Required - cannot be blank
  • Validation list - must match predefined options
  • Lookup - must match a value from another table

D

Databook

A container for one or more related tables in Clarity. Databooks store reference data, configuration, hierarchies, and manual input tables.

Features:

  • Typed columns with validation
  • Version history (all changes tracked)
  • Permissions at databook, table, or row level
  • Cross-table lookups

Data Source

The Databook and table that a Reportbook component pulls data from. Each component has one data source; columns are mapped to visual elements.

Deleted Items

A folder holding deleted Databooks and Reportbooks. Items can be restored from here.

Important: Items are permanently purged after 30 days.

E

Editor

A permission level allowing view and edit access. Editors cannot manage settings or permissions.

F

File Action Menu

The context menu (...) on Databooks and Reportbooks. Provides access to Clone, Snapshot, Delete, Rename, Move, and Manage Permissions.

Folder

An organizational container for grouping Databooks or Reportbooks. Folders can be nested. Permissions set on a folder are inherited by items inside.

G

Global Filter

A filter at the top of a Reportbook that applies to all pages. When set, every component using that field updates.

Options:

  • Label - display name
  • Default value - pre-selected on open
  • Multi-selection - allow multiple values
  • Required - cannot be cleared

H

Hierarchy

A parent-child relationship in a Databook table. Uses two columns:

  • Node column - unique identifier for each row
  • Parent column - lookup to the node column

Creates a tree structure viewable in hierarchy mode.

K

KPI Tile

A Reportbook component displaying a single metric prominently, often with trend indicators or comparisons.

L

Lineage

Tracking of data origins and dependencies.

  • Upstream - where data comes from (imports, source systems)
  • Downstream - where data is used (which Reportbooks)

Lookup

A constraint linking a column to values in another table. The column only accepts values that exist in the source table - like a foreign key.

O

Owner

The highest permission level. Owners can view, edit, manage settings, and control permissions for other users.

Best practice: Every Databook and Reportbook should have at least two Owners.

P

Page

A single canvas in a Reportbook containing components. Pages are listed in the sidebar and can be grouped into Sections.

Permission Levels

The three access tiers in Clarity:

Level View Edit Manage
Viewer Yes No No
Editor Yes Yes No
Owner Yes Yes Yes

R

Reportbook

A collection of report pages that displays data from Databooks.

Features:

  • Multiple pages organized into sections
  • Global filters applying to all pages
  • Bookmarks for saved filter states
  • Snapshots for point-in-time records
  • Live connection to Databook data

Row

A single record in a Databook table. Each row has one value per column.

Row-Level Security

A permission model where users only see rows they are authorized to access, based on a designated column value.

S

Section

A named group of pages in a Reportbook. Sections appear as collapsible containers in the sidebar. Organizational only - no effect on data or permissions.

Snapshot

A read-only copy of a Reportbook at a specific point in time. Data is frozen as it was when the snapshot was created.

Use for:

  • Audit records
  • Board packs
  • Regulatory submissions
  • Month-end close

Difference from Clone: Snapshots are read-only with frozen data. Clones are editable with live data.

T

Table

A grid of columns and rows in a Databook. Each table has a defined structure (columns with types and constraints) and stores data. A Databook can contain multiple tables.

U

Usage Visibility

Analytics showing how Reportbooks are used: page views, unique viewers, frequency, user breakdown, and timing patterns.

V

Validation List

A predefined set of allowed values for a column. Users select from a dropdown rather than typing free text.

Version History

Automatic tracking of all changes to a Databook or Reportbook. Records who changed what and when.

Viewer

The most limited permission level. Viewers can see data and apply filters but cannot make changes.

Last updated
March 2026
Audience
All Clarity users
v2.0 | 20260312