> 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/pdia-data-integration/9.3-data-integration/advanced-topics-pentaho-data-integration-overview/data-lineage.md). # Data lineage Pentaho offers you the ability to visualize the end-to-end flow of your data across [PDI transformations and jobs](/pdia-data-integration/9.3-data-integration/data-integration-perspective-in-the-pdi-client/basic-concepts-of-pdi.md), providing you with valuable insights to help you maintain meaningful data. This ability to track your data from source systems to target applications allows you take advantage of third-party tools, such as Meta Integration Technology (MITI) and yEd, to track and view specific data. Once lineage tracking is enabled, PDI will generate a GraphML file every time you run a transformation. You can then open this file using a third-party tool, such as yEd, to view a tree diagram of the data. By parsing through and teasing out the different parts of the graph, you can gain an end-to-end view into a specific element of data from origin to target. This ability can aid you in both data lineage and impact analysis: * Data lineage provides the ability to discover the origins of an element of data and describes the sequence of jobs and transformations which have occurred up to the point of the request for the lineage information. * Impact analysis is the reverse flow of information which can be used to trace the use and consumption of a data item, typically for the purpose of managing change or assessing and auditing access. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.pentaho.com/pdia-data-integration/9.3-data-integration/advanced-topics-pentaho-data-integration-overview/data-lineage.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.