Manage metadata rules

Pentaho Data Catalog metadata rules let you automate how metadata is managed across your environment. Instead of manually updating each object, you can define rules that automatically apply or remove business terms, tags, and property values on already scanned or ingested metadata. This keeps your catalog consistent, improves data discovery, and reduces the risk of human error.

If your role allows it, you’ll see the Metadata Rules card on Data Catalog → Data Operations. With a Pentaho Data Optimizer license and the right permissions, rules can also trigger supported optimization processes.

How metadata rules work

1. Create a rule definition Define the criteria (what to match) and the action (what to do). The system evaluates this against scanned metadata.
2. Create a metadata rule Apply the rule definition to a selected data source to run the action.

You can use the Manage Metadata Rules page to view, create, edit, and delete rule definitions and metadata rules.

Where you can apply metadata rules (classifications)

Classifications determine which asset types a rule can target.

You can apply metadata rules to below classifications:

• Entities
• Glossary
• Data Collections
• Applications
• Physical Assets
• ML Models
• BI
• Policy
• Reference Data
• ETL

What actions a Metadata rule can perform

• Apply Business Terms
• Apply Tags
• Remove Tags
• Remove Business Terms
• Update Property Value
• Reset Property Value
• Start Process

  • Data Profile applicable for Entities Table objects.
  • Data Discovery, Move, Delete, Rehydrate applicable for Entities File objects.

Note: Some rules-governed operations may require additional workflow tasks, depending on your configuration and permissions.