# Adding a match rule

Add a match rule to control how Pentaho Data Mastering identifies matches in the data from different data sources

You must have admin privileges to add a match rule.

Perform the following steps to add a match rule:

1. On the left navigation menu, click **Master Data**. The **Master Data** page opens.
2. In the **Match Rules** card, click **Add Match Rule**.

   The Create Match Rule page opens.
3. Specify the following information for the match rule:

   | Field               | Description                                                                       |
   | ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   | **Priority**\*      | Priority of the match rule in the order of execution for the Mastering Engine.    |
   | **Name**\*          | Name of the match rule.                                                           |
   | **Description**     | Description of the match rule.                                                    |
   | **Scope**\*         | SQL filter definitions that divide the data into subsets for the merge operation. |
   | **Enabled**         | Checkbox that indicates whether a match rule is used by the Mastering Engine.     |
   | **Standalone**      | Checkbox that indicates whether a match rule is standalone.                       |
   | **Review Required** | Checkbox that indicates whether a match rule must be reviewed.                    |
   | **Append Only**     | Checkbox that indicates whether a match rule is only appended.                    |

   \* Mandatory Field
4. Click **Create Match Rule**.

   A confirmation message is shown in the top-right corner of the page and the match rule record is added to the match rule table.

   **Tip:** To add multiple match rules at one time, see [Adding match rules in bulk](/pentaho-data-mastering/configuring-match-rules/adding-a-match-rule/adding-match-rules-in-bulk.md).


---

# Agent Instructions: 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:

```
GET https://docs.pentaho.com/pentaho-data-mastering/configuring-match-rules/adding-a-match-rule.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
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.
