# Logging tab

By default, if you do not set logging, PDI will take generated log entries and create a log record inside the job. For example, suppose a job has three transformations to run and you have not set logging. The transformations will not log information to other files, locations, or special configurations. In this instance, the job runs and logs information into its master job log.

In most instances, it is acceptable for logging information to be available in the job log. For example, if you have load dimensions, you want logs for your load dimension runs to display in the job logs. If there are errors in the transformations, they will be displayed in the job logs. However, you want all your log information kept in one place, you must then set up logging.

![Logging tab, Transformation (job entry)](/files/WxHv2GDURSBRiY7ZecMm)

The following table describes the options for setting up a log file:

| Option                      | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| --------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Specify logfile**         | Specifies a separate logging file for running this transformation.                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Name**                    | Specifies the directory and base name of the log file (`C:\logs` for example).                                                                                                                                                                            |
| **Extension**               | Specifies the file name extension (`.log` or `.txt` for example).                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| **Log level**               | Specifies the logging level for running the transformation. See [Logging and performance monitoring](/pdia-data-integration/10.2-data-integration/data-integration-perspective-in-the-pdi-client/logging-and-performance-monitoring.md) for more details. |
| **Append logfile**          | Appends the logfile as opposed to creating a new one.                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| **Create parent folder**    | Creates a parent folder for the log file if it does not exist.                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| **Include date in logfile** | Adds the system date to the log file, with the format YYYYMMDD such as `(_20051231)`.                                                                                                                                                                     |
| **Include time in logfile** | Adds the system time to the log file, with the format HHMMSS such as `(_235959)`.                                                                                                                                                                         |


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