> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.aristotlemetadata.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.aristotlemetadata.com/subject-matter-and-theory/data-lineage/recording-a-distributions-data-lineage.md).

# Recording a distribution's data lineage

Data lineage can be recorded for a distribution via its item editor, capturing what other distribution(s) the item may be informed by or have historically been a part of.

Distribution lineage can also be linked to any data elements that describe a column or field within a distribution via data element paths.

## How to record a distribution's source distribution(s)

1. Navigate to the desired distribution, and select 'Open item editor' from its 'Actions' dropdown.

<figure><img src="/files/WXcgJ4oLox8Z4pAK7wJ4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Select the 'Components' tab.

<figure><img src="/files/Ydt2V2sXmwaUWintXZ1o" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Navigate to the 'Provenance' section, then select 'Add'.

<figure><img src="/files/TnwRj2yZ0y9mRJvrLibo" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Select the relevant source distribution(s) from the 'Source Distributions' dropdown.

<figure><img src="/files/5KIXD1P1XzysajfiScB8" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. **If you wish to record the distribution's method of generation**, populate the 'Generation' field with the relevant method.

<figure><img src="/files/OM5dSZS4PbIKjyYCZq1y" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

6. **If you wish to record the distribution's release date**, do so using the 'Release Date' dropdown.

<figure><img src="/files/Ctqvsgxc9iJYX8JyiVLc" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

6. Select 'Save changes' once satisfied. The lineage details will be recorded on the distribution's item page.

<figure><img src="/files/D2BuZW7a17UrQtDuIdiP" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/Po01zPeVyj9TheBUhBpf" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## How to record a distribution's data element path(s)

1. Navigate to the desired distribution, and select 'Open item editor' from its 'Actions' dropdown.

<figure><img src="/files/WXcgJ4oLox8Z4pAK7wJ4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Select the 'Components' tab.

<figure><img src="/files/Ydt2V2sXmwaUWintXZ1o" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Navigate to the 'Data Element Path' section, then select 'Add'.

<figure><img src="/files/DNVI1hfiWpAL7Vz7tUGa" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Select the relevant data element(s) from the 'Data Element' dropdown.

<figure><img src="/files/0wWc0DkVN4B6KF8MCO2w" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. **If you wish to assign this data element a physical data type**, do so using the 'Physical Data Type' dropdown. Physical data types describe the format that this data element takes within the distribution, such as 'Date'.

<figure><img src="/files/wo45Y06qPVaC1MZ3TUEg" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

6. **If you wish to describe the logical path between this data element and distribution**, do so using the 'Logical Path' field. Logical paths contextualise a data element's contribution to a distribution, and are often as simple as the title of a column of data.

<figure><img src="/files/qpe71XSKt6mnRcE3XP9A" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

7. **If you wish to list object classes that apply to this data element**, do so using the 'Specialisation Classes' field.

<figure><img src="/files/djhdCGDIuj1nJ0pyfDks" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

8. **If you wish to provide additional information about this data element's inclusion in the distribution**, do so via the 'Specific Information' field.

<figure><img src="/files/W65JxesU7kZ2WUSAajRx" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

9. **If you wish to provide any information about this data element's lineage/transformation**, do so via the 'Lineage Details' field.

<figure><img src="/files/pYgJJEZrPvE0gIhPDkXQ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

10. **If you wish to list external data element paths that contributed to the calculation of this data element**, select a distribution from the 'Filter by distribution' dropdown, then a data element path from the 'Select path name' dropdown. Your selections will be added as a list below the selection fields.

<figure><img src="/files/aPyOilV2jXlt9lZXd1QB" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/VWxkLJrUnXgCCY9E5PB2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/ckLwSrEAfBe1ZvNQpnBu" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

11. Select 'Save changes' once satisfied. The data element path(s) will be recorded on the distribution's item page.

<figure><img src="/files/xIgCUuuABUKM57huhou5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/jjmpVMxL8uH9KqGMdHuY" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Note:** 'Toggle lineage information' can be selected to show or hide your configured lineage details and relationships (below).

<figure><img src="/files/YVuo8EsCrFXI0CpPbhG2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>