> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.pentaho.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.pentaho.com/pba/pipeline-designer/working-with-transformations/create-a-transformation.md).

# Create a transformation

Create a transformation to arrange a network of logical ETL tasks, called steps, into a data workflow.

To create a transformation in Pipeline Designer, complete the following steps:

1. Log into the Pentaho User Console.
2. Open **Pipeline Designer**: 

   * If you are using the **Modern Design**, in the menu on the left side of the page, click **Pipeline Designer**. 
   * If you are using the **Classic Design**, click **Switch to the Modern Design,** and then in the menu on the left side of the page, click **Pipeline Designer**. 

   **Pipeline Designer** opens with the **Quick Access** section expanded.
3. In the **Transformation** card, click **Create Transformation**. A new, blank transformation is opened with the **Design** pane selected.
4. Add steps to the transformation: 
   1. In the **Design** pane, search for or browse to each step you want to use in the transformation. You may need to expand sections in the in the **Design** pane to find steps.
   2. Drag the steps you want to use onto the canvas. 
5. Work with steps on the canvas by hovering over a step to open the step menu and selecting one of the following options: 

   <table><thead><tr><th width="169.22210693359375">Step option</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Delete</strong></td><td>Deletes the step from the canvas.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Edit</strong> </td><td><p>Opens the <em><strong>Step Name</strong></em> window where you can configure the properties of the step. Step properties may appear in multiple sections, tabs, or both. </p><p><strong>Note:</strong> To learn more about the step you're configuring, in the lower-left corner of the <strong>Step Name</strong> window, click <strong>Help</strong>.</p></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Duplicate</strong></td><td>Adds a copy of the step to the canvas.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>More Actions</strong> > <strong>Change Number of Copies</strong></td><td>Opens the <strong>Number of copies</strong> dialog box, where you can enter a number or a variable to specify how many copies of the step are processed in parallel when the transformation is run. To find a variable, in the <strong>Number of copies (1 or higher</strong>) box, click the <strong>Select variable to insert</strong> icon.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>More Actions</strong> > <strong>Data Movement</strong></td><td><p>Opens a list of data movement options for you to select from to specify how data rows are distributed to the next steps of the transformation. Round-Robin is the default setting.</p><ul><li><strong>Round-Robin:</strong> Distributes rows evenly across all parallel step copies using round-robin logic. This setting optimizes load balancing when the transformation includes multiple instances of the next step. </li><li><strong>Load Balance:</strong> Routes rows to the step copy with the lightest processing load. This setting can improve performance when processing times vary across parallel step instances.</li><li><strong>Copy Data to Next Steps:</strong> Sends each row to all parallel step copies. Use this setting when every downstream branch must process the complete dataset independently.</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>
6. To add hops between steps, hover over a step’s handle until a plus sign (+) appears, then drag the connection to the handle of another step.
7. (Optional) To add a note on the canvas, in the canvas toolbar, click the **Add Note** icon, and then in **Notes** dialog box, enter your note and click **Save**.&#x20;

   **Note:** You can format the note in the **Notes** dialog box, by clicking **Style**, and then entering the font, color, and shadow options you want to use for the note.
8. Save the transformation:
   1. Click **Save**. The **Select File or Directory** dialog box opens.
   2. Search for or browse to the folder in the repository where you want to save the transformation.
   3. (Optional) To create a new folder in the repository, click the **New Folder** icon, and then in the **New folder** dialog box, enter a **New folder name** and click **Save**.&#x20;
   4. (Optional) To delete a folder from the repository, select the folder and click the **Delete** icon.
   5. In the **Select File or Directory** dialog box, click **Save**. The **Save Change** dialog box opens.
   6. Click **Yes** to confirm that you want to save the transformation.


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