Column-Level Data Lineage
Atlas Cloud traces column-level data lineage across tables, views, and datasets. Select any column to see exactly where its data comes from, which transformation expressions shape it, and what downstream objects depend on it.
Open the Lineage Graph
In the project overview, click the Lineage tab and select a table or view. Atlas will render the lineage graph for the selected object.
You can also open the lineage graph from the ERD and Docs views:
- ERD
- Docs
Use the lineage action to open the graph for the selected object:
Click Lineage on the object page:
Atlas opens the lineage graph in a modal so you can inspect the object without leaving the current view:
Select and Pin Columns
Use [+] and [-] to expand or collapse upstream and downstream nodes.
Click a column to inspect its lineage:
Selecting multiple columns shows their lineage together:
Click a selected column again to pin it and highlight its lineage path. Click it once more to unpin it:
You can also pin columns that appear elsewhere in the selected lineage path:
To remove a selected column from the view, click (-) on the column:
Inspect Transformation Expressions
Atlas marks transformation steps on the lineage path with [f].
Hover over [f] to preview the expression that transforms upstream fields along the path.
This is useful for understanding how derived columns like revenue calculations or status aggregations are built from source fields.
Clicking [f] keeps the expression card visible while you continue exploring the graph: