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Manage Classification

Add and manage classifications in OpenMetadata to organize how data assets are tagged across your organization. This includes creating a new classification, editing its details, deleting one you no longer need, and exporting or importing its tags in bulk using a CSV file.

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Add a Classification

To create a new classification:

1. Navigate to Govern > Classification.
2. Click Add Classification.
3. Fill in the following details:
   • Name (required): A unique name for the classification.
   • Display Name: A human-friendly label shown in the UI.
   • Description (required): Describe what this classification is used for.
   • Mutually Exclusive: When enabled, only one tag from this classification can be assigned to a data asset at a time. For example, an asset can be tagged as either PII-Sensitive or PII-NonSensitive, but not both.
   • Owners: Search for and assign one or more teams or users as owners of the classification.
   • Domains: Search for and assign one or more domains to the classification.
   
4. Click Save.

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Add Tags to a Classification

After a classification is created, add tags under it:

1. Select the Classification from the Classification page.
2. Click Add Tag.
3. Fill in the following details:
   • Name (required): A unique name for the tag.
   • Display Name: A human-friendly label shown in the UI.
   • Icon: Pick an icon to represent the tag.
   • Color: Pick a color swatch for the tag’s icon.
   • Description (required): Describe what the tag means, using the rich text editor.
   • Owners: Search for and assign one or more teams or users as owners of the tag.
   • Domains: Search for and assign one or more domains to the tag.
   
4. Click Save.

The pencil icon next to Description on a classification’s or tag’s page also allows a quick inline edit, and the tag table has an Enabled toggle for each tag. Select the Classification, then click the ⋮ icon in the top right to open the menu with Edit, Import, Export, and Delete options.

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Edit a Classification

Update a classification’s details after it’s created:

1. Select the Classification you want to update.
2. Click the ⋮ icon and select Edit. This opens the same form as Add a Classification, pre-filled with the current values.
3. Update any field and click Save.

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Import Tags into a Classification

OpenMetadata supports classification import to save time and effort by uploading a CSV with several tags in one go, creating or updating multiple tags simultaneously. Each row in the CSV creates or updates one Tag under the selected Classification. To import tags into a classification:

1. Navigate to Govern > Classification.
2. Select the classification you want to import tags into.
3. Click the ⋮ icon and select Import.
4. Drag and drop a file, or click Browse to upload your tags. Click Download CSV Template for a starter file, or View Column References for the full list of supported columns. The template includes the following columns:

   Column	Required	Description
   parent	No	Leave blank to add the tag at the top level of the classification.
   name	Yes	The name of the tag. Reuse an existing tag’s name to update that tag. A different name produces a different fully qualified name, so it creates a new tag instead of renaming the original one.
   displayName	No	The display name of the tag.
   description	No	The description or details of the tag.
   reviewers	No	Users who review and approve changes to the tag.
   owner	No	The team or user who owns the tag.
   tagStatus	No	The tag’s approval status.
   color	No	The color of the tag’s icon.
   iconURL	No	The icon shown for the tag.
   domains	No	The domain(s) the tag belongs to.
   mutuallyExclusive	No	Whether the tag is mutually exclusive with other tags in the same classification.

   Leaving mutuallyExclusive blank on an update keeps the tag’s current value. Leaving any other optional column blank clears that field instead — for example, a blank tagStatus resets the tag to Draft.
5. Click Next: Preview.
6. Preview and validate your uploaded data. Make any additions or corrections directly in the table if needed. A Passed and Failed count is displayed above the table to help you quickly identify any rows with validation errors before proceeding.
7. Click Next to import the tags.

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Export a Classification

Download a classification’s tags as a CSV file to share with your team:

1. Select the classification you want to export.
2. Click the ⋮ icon and select Export.

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Delete a Classification

Removing a classification permanently deletes its metadata:

1. Select the classification you want to remove.
2. Click the ⋮ icon and select Delete.
3. Click Confirm to delete the classification.