DataFinder has added virtual project function since 4.10.0 version. When you create a project, you can create a project of type "virtual project". The virtual project can be associated with multiple ordinary projects that have been created. After the creation is completed, part of the metadata of the associated project will be merged in the virtual project, which can realize cross-application data aggregation and statistical analysis at low cost and efficiency. This article introduces you to the precautions and usage points of virtual projects.

The DataFinder virtual project essentially adds a query view to enable data "merging" across projects by associating multiple common projects.

• The virtual project does not "save" the data of the associated project, but is similar to the way of adding a query view, which does not generate redundant storage and does not introduce additional data migration work, which can greatly save costs.
• The virtual project does not need to perform operations such as data access and binding applications. It will "merge" and "split" part of the metadata of the associated project. After processing, it will be directly displayed in the metadata of the virtual project. You can realize cross-project and multi-application data query and analysis based on the processed metadata in the virtual project.
• Since the virtual project is not directly bound to the application, single-application-based functions are not available in the virtual project (e.g. only application-level heat map analysis functions, etc.), and the use of other functions is basically the same as the operation of ordinary projects.

• The virtual project function is a value-added function, which needs to be purchased separately, and the default is off. If you want to use the virtual project function, you need to contact the technical support staff to purchase and activate the function.
• Privatized 4.10.0 version now supports virtual project functionality.

1. Create a new project in Project Management in the Privatization Console Management Center, see activity details Create and Manage Projects.
   After the creation is completed, the project defaults to a normal project. You need to find the corresponding project in the project list, click the Enter Product link under the Growth Analysis Platform, and set the project as a virtual project.
   

2. After you jump to the DataFinder's Access New Project page, configure the project as a virtual project.
   

   1. Modify Modify the project type to virtual project.

   2. Similar to normal projects, configure the project's caliber ID and time zone information.

   3. Add an associated project and configure project priority.
      

      Parameter	Configuration instructions
      Select Associated Items	The associated items that can be added are all ordinary items with applications and permissions. You can quickly find the associated items to be added by searching. After checking the box, click the Add arrow button to connect the items to the virtual items in batches.
      Highest priority project	Select a project with the highest priority in the drop-down box. When the attribute-related metadata in each project associated with the subsequent virtual project conflicts, this priority will be used for data display. tip Since the virtual project will "merge" and "split" the metadata of the associated project, that is, the metadata of multiple projects will be directly displayed in the virtual project, so there may be conflicts. For example, there are user attributes with the same name but inconsistent display names, data types, and states in multiple projects. When such conflicts occur, in the function parameters of the virtual project, such as user scrutiny, microscope-user attribute list, user lifecycle, etc., the data display of the highest priority project here will be displayed by default.

3. After completing the above configuration, click OK to complete the virtual project creation and configuration.

Like a normal project, once created, you can license the virtual project to other users. Authorization actions for virtual projects are the same as for normal projects. You can open projects to user roles in the admin center. When creating/editing roles, you can choose whether you need to open projects to roles and grant roles viewing or administrative permissions for DataFinder projects. See activity details Create Roles and Authorize Roles.

• Open virtual projects when creating roles.
  
• When configuring DataFinder details permission control, configure whether the role has administrative privileges for virtual projects.

After the virtual project is created, the virtual project will merge and split part of the metadata of the associated project in real time. Whether various types of metadata will be processed and the processing methods are shown in the following table.

After creating the virtual project, you can enter the virtual project in the DataFinder console for data analytics and other operations. Some functions in the virtual project are not supported, and the unsupported function interface is not available or visible. The specific interface shall prevail.

• After entering the virtual project, the project type is marked as a virtual project next to the project name at the top right.
• The virtual project will merge and other processing of part of the metadata of the associated project. You do not need to perform data access operations on the virtual project alone, nor do you involve data management and other operations of the virtual project. Such operations can be carried out in the associated ordinary project.
• The functions of a virtual project are similar to those of a normal project. Taking event analysis as an example, the configuration interface is as follows.
  
  Among them, in the virtual project, the files that can be selected at the configuration index are the files of each associated project and the files of the virtual project.