Open a transformation

The method you use to open an existing transformation depends on if you are using PDI locally on your machine or if you are connected to a repository. If you are connected to a repository, then you are remotely accessing your file on the Pentaho Server. Optionally, you can open a transformation on a Virtual File System (VFS).

Note: If you get a message indicating that a plugin is missing, see the Troubleshooting transformation steps and job entries section for more details.

If you recently had a file open, you can also use File > Open Recent.

On your local machine

Follow these instructions to open a transformation on your local machine.

1. In the PDI client, perform one of the following actions:

   • Select File > Open.

   • Click the Open file icon in the toolbar.

   • Click the OPEN Files tile from the Welcome screen.

   • Hold down the CTRLO keys.

2. Select the file from the Open window, then click Open.

   Note: By default, the folder from where the last file was accessed is opened.

The Open window closes when your transformation appears in the canvas.

In the Pentaho Repository

Follow these instructions to access a transformation in the Pentaho Repository.

1. Verify that you are connected to a repository, which establishes remote access to the Pentaho Server.

2. In the PDI client, perform one of the following actions to access the Open repository browser window:

   • Select File > Open.

   • Click the Open file icon in the toolbar.

   • Click the OPEN Files tile from the Welcome screen.

   • Hold down the CTRLO keys.Note: By default, the folder from where the last file was accessed is opened.

3. To use a recently opened file, use the Recents option to navigate to your transformation.

4. Use either the search box to find your transformation, or use the left panel to navigate to a repository folder containing your transformation.

   Note: If the PDI is already connected to the Pentaho Repository, then only the Recents and Pentaho Repository options appear in the left pane. If the PDI is not connected to a Pentaho Repository, then the following options appear in the left pane:

   • Recents

   • Local

   • VFS Connections

   • Hadoop Clusters

5. If you are not connected to Pentaho Repository, then perform one of the following actions to access the transformation:

   • Double-click on your transformation.

   • Select it and press the Enter key.

   • Select it and click Open.

6. If you are connected to the Pentaho Repository, click Open to access the transformation.

The Open window closes when your transformation appears in the canvas.

On Virtual File Systems

From the menu bar in the PDI client, select File > Open to open a PDI transformation on a Virtual File System (VFS). See Connecting to Virtual File Systems for details.