Configuring Object Link
Important
For a guided configuration, enroll for our Celonis Academy course: Celonis Academy - Set up Object Link in Data Integration.
Object Link is a Celonis technology that helps you model and analyze complex relationships (or links) between objects. With it, you can build what we call "directed graphs" and networks. Setting up Object Link for your data model serves as the foundation for you to use the Network Explorer and special PQL functions in the Celonis Platform.
Before configuring the Object Link in your data model, you need the following:
Data requirements:
Mapping table: You must have a table in your Data Pool that acts as the "bridge" between objects. This table defines the relationships (edges) and must contain at least two columns: one for the source (incoming) and one for the target (outgoing) object IDs.
Object tables: The tables containing your nodes (e.g., Materials, Sales Orders) must be loaded into the same Data Pool.
Foreign key setup: In your Data Model, ensure that foreign keys are correctly defined. Object Link relies on these relationships to navigate between the mapping table and the connected object tables.
System and logic configuration:
Knowledge Model (KM): A Knowledge Model must be active for your package. You will need to define
RELATIONSHIPobjects here, specifically utilizing theLINK_SOURCEandLINK_TARGETlogic to enable PQL accessibility.Perspective and run state: Ensure your Data Model is linked to a Perspective. Note that Object Link configurations only become active after the Perspective is successfully reloaded via a Data Job.
Linearization (Optional): If you are working with complex many-to-many relationships that require flattened paths, ensure your linearized activity tables (e.g.,
_CEL_LINEARIZED_ACTIVITIES) are already generated and available in the Data Model.
Tip
For the best performance in the Network Explorer component, verify that your mapping table does not contain infinite loops (cycles) unless required by your specific use case.
To configure the Object Link in your data model:
Click Data > Data Integration and open your object-centric data pool.
Click Data Models.
Open the data model you want to use and then click Object Links - New Object Link.
Select Objects and then select Mapping Table.
Choose the table from your Data Pool that contains the link definitions.
Assign directional columns:
Incoming column: Select the column containing the Source ID (the starting point of the link).
Outgoing column: Select the column containing the Target ID (the destination of the link).
Note
Each row in this table defines a directed edge between two objects. Ensure these IDs match the primary keys in your object tables.
Select the object table (e.g., "Material" or "Sales Order") that holds the master data for the IDs referenced in your mapping table.
Choose the column in the object table that corresponds to the IDs in your mapping table (typically the Primary Key).
Click Save.
The configuration will now appear in your Object Link overview.
For the changes to take effect, you must execute the Data Job that reloads your Perspective. See: Executing data jobs.
Once the load is complete, the links will be accessible via PQL and visible within the Network Explorer in Studio.
When configuring your Object Link, the following issues are common:
Issue | Likely cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
Link not visible in Studio | Perspective not reloaded. | Run the Data Job associated with your Perspective after saving the Object Link. |
"Table not found" error | Mapping table missing from Data Model. | Ensure the table is not just in the Data Pool, but has been added to the Data Model and joined correctly. |
Empty Network Explorer | ID mismatch. | Verify that the IDs in your Mapping Table (Incoming/Outgoing) exactly match the Primary Keys in your Object Tables. |