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How to Join Data Sets

Joining datasets can allow you to report on multiple areas of data in one single place.

Joining data sources allows you to combine related information from multiple areas of Casebook into a single report. For example, you can combine Cases with Case Involvements, or other related datasets, to create more comprehensive reports without exporting data.

This article walks you through how to join data sources while building a report.

Before You Begin

Check out our interactive Dataset Joining Guide for assistance on which fields to use, then follow the steps below:

When joining data sources, you'll need:

  • A primary data source (the report you start with)
  • A secondary data source (the data you want to add)
  • A shared field that exists in both data sources (such as Case ID) to connect the records

Tip: Choosing the correct shared field is what determines how your data is matched.

Step 1: Open Reporting

  1. Navigate to Reporting in Casebook.
  2. Create a new report or open an existing custom report to edit.
  • To create a new report, click the + button in the lower-right corner.
  • To edit an existing report, open the dashboard, select the ellipsis (•••), and choose Edit.

Step 2: Select Your Primary Data Source

  1. Choose Visualization.
  2. Select the data source you want to build your report from.

For example, if you're creating a report about cases, select Cases.

Step 3: Add Another Data Source

  1. In the Fields panel, click the + button.
  2. Select Fields from another data source.
  3. Choose the data source you want to join.

For example, you might add:

  • People
  • Case Involvements
  • Services
  • Another related dataset

Step 4: Match the Shared Fields

Next, you'll tell Casebook how the two data sources are related.

Select the field that exists in both data sources.

For example:

Primary Data Source Secondary Data Source
Cases → Case ID Case Involvements → Case ID

Casebook uses these matching fields to connect records between the two data sources.

💡 Tip: For the best experience when selecting fields, maximize your browser window or switch to full-screen mode. This provides more space to view available fields and makes it easier to select the data you want to include in your report.

Step 5: Select the Fields to Include

After the relationship has been created:

  1. Choose the fields you want to bring into your report from the secondary data source.
  2. These fields become available alongside the fields from your original data source.

Only select the fields you need to keep your report organized and easier to maintain.

Step 6: Complete the Join

Click Join Data.

The new fields will appear in the Fields panel and can be dragged into your report just like any other field.

You can now:

  • Add the joined fields to your report
  • Filter using the joined data
  • Group or summarize your results as needed

Need Help Choosing Which Data Sources to Join?

Not every data source is designed to work together.

If you're unsure which data sources should be joined, refer to the Dataset Joining Guide in the Knowledge Base. It provides recommended dataset pairings and the fields that should be used to connect them.

Tips for Successful Joins

  • Start with the data source that represents the main focus of your report.
  • Always join using a field that exists in both data sources.
  • Double-check that you're matching the correct ID fields (for example, Case ID to Case ID).
  • Only include the fields you need to keep reports easier to read and maintain.