---
title: "Customize Data Actions with Parameters"
slug: "customize-data-actions-with-parameters"
description: "Learn to create and use Parameters for reusable Data Actions, enabling members to select values for imports and enhance data management efficiency."
updated: 2026-06-12T14:06:07Z
published: 2026-06-12T14:06:07Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.pigment.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Customize Data Actions with Parameters

Use Parameters to make Data Actions reusable by prompting Members to select values when they run the Data Action. This article explains how to create, configure, and use Parameters.

## Access rights and permissions

- Members must have the **Import Data**permission to create, edit, or use Parameters. For more information on access rights and permissions, see [About Roles, Permissions, and Access Rights](/v1/docs/roles-permissions-access-rights).

## Before you begin

Parameters currently support the following capabilities:

- Dimension Parameters
- Single-value selection
- Selective mapping in Metric-to-Metric imports
- Fixed default values
- Manual execution or execution from a Board using an Action widget

Support for additional Parameter types, multi-value selection, Data Flows, List-to-List filtering, Variable-based defaults, scheduling, and APIs is planned for future updates.

## Create a Parameter

Parameters are managed at the Application level under **Data Actions & Flows**.

> [!WARNING]
> ⚠️ **Important**
> 
> Parameters are configured once in an Application and can be reused across multiple Data Actions in that Application.

The Parameters overview displays all Parameters in the Application, including their names, associated Dimensions, and default values.

To access Parameters:

1. In your Application, select the **three-dot menu**from the sidebar.
2. Go to**Data Actions & Flows**, then select the **Parameters**tab.

From the **Parameters** tab in your Application:

1. Select **Create a parameter.**If Parameters already exist in your Application, select **+ Create a parameter** in the top-right corner of the **Parameters** tab.
2. In the **Details** section, enter a name and an optional description to indicate when Members should use the Parameter.
3. In the **Configuration**section, select the data type from the drop-down menu. Currently, only the Dimension data type is supported.
4. Select the Dimension from the drop-down menu, then choose the **selection mode**. Currently, only single-value selection is available.
5. *(Optional)*Select a default value for the Parameter from the drop-down menu.**Members can change the selected value before running the Data Action.
6. Select **Save.**

The Parameter and associated configuration details appear in the **Parameters**tab.

> [!WARNING]
> ⚠️ **Important**
> 
> Any edits to a Parameter’s details or configuration impact all Data Actions that use it.

## Use Parameters with Selective mapping

Use Parameters in the Selective mapping step of a Metric-to-Metric import to replace fixed source or target Items with values selected by Members when running the Data Action. For more information, see [Selective mapping](/v1/docs/metric-import#how-to-set-up-a-selective-mapping).

For example, an import configuration might always import the **Draft 1**Version from the source Metric into the `Budget` Version of the target Metric. To later import from **Draft 2** instead, you would need to edit the configuration. With a Parameter, Members can select the source value, target value, or both each time they run the Data Action.

### Add a Parameter to Selective mapping

To use a Parameter in Selective mapping:

1. In your Application, open the **target Metric**.
2. Select the **three-dot menu**, then **Import data**.
3. Select **Pigment Metric**, then select the **source Metric** from the drop-down menu.
4. Select **Set up import**.
5. Select **+ Add mapping**, then select the Dimension to remap from the drop-down menu.
6. In the **source Item** or**target Item** field, select the **Parameter** symbol next to the drop-down menu to replace a fixed Item with a Parameter. Then select an existing Parameter or **Create a new parameter**.

> [!NOTE]
> ℹ️ Note
> 
> Use separate Parameters when the source and target fields need different values. If they use the same value, you can use a single Parameter for both fields.
7. Enter a name and description for the import configuration, then select **Save**.

After the import configuration is saved, it can be triggered manually or from a Board using an Action widget. Members are prompted to select Parameter values each time they run the Data Action.

## Run Imports with Parameters from a Board

Run saved import configurations with Parameters from a Board using an Action widget. Members can run the same Data Action with different values by selecting the Action button on the Board.

To run an import from the Board using Parameters:

1. On the Board, select the **Action button** linked to the saved configuration. For example, `Update Budget`.
2. In the dialog that opens, review or update each Parameter value from the drop-down menu. If configured, the default value is pre-selected.
3. Select **Apply**.

After the Data Action runs, the Import summary displays the Parameter values used for that run.