How to Use Parabola

Getting started with Parabola

In this guide, you will learn how to use Parabola to automate data cleaning and transformation tasks without any coding experience. You’ll be able to import data, manipulate it visually, and export the results efficiently.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to Parabola's website.
2. Click on the “Get Started Free” button in the top right corner.
3. Enter your email address and create a password, or sign up using Google.
4. Once signed up, you’ll be taken to the Parabola dashboard. Familiarise yourself with the interface.

Step 2: Your first data flow

1. Click on the “New Flow” button on the dashboard.
2. Choose a data source by selecting “Import” from the left sidebar. You can import from a CSV file, Google Sheets, or other sources.
3. Drag the “Import CSV” or “Google Sheets” component onto the canvas.
4. Configure it by clicking on the component and selecting your file or spreadsheet.
5. Next, drag and drop a “Transform” component to clean or manipulate your data (e.g., “Remove Duplicates”, “Filter Rows”).
6. Connect the components by clicking and dragging from one to the next.
7. Finally, add an “Export” component to save your transformed data. Choose your preferred format (e.g., CSV, Google Sheets) and configure the settings.
8. Click the “Run” button in the top right corner to execute your flow.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Use the “Preview” button on any component to see how your data looks at each step of the transformation.
2. Experiment with different “Transform” components to see which ones best suit your needs.
3. Set up automated schedules for your flows by clicking on the “Schedule” option in the export component. This saves you time by running your flows at set intervals.

Pro tip

Most beginners overlook the “Preview” feature. Use it frequently to ensure your transformations are correct before exporting your data.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid connecting too many components at once without testing. This can lead to confusion about where errors occur. Test your flow step by step to ensure each part works correctly before proceeding.