---
title: Reference Data Validation
description: Validates data values by checking them against a predefined reference dataset
group: Validity
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# Reference Data Validation

The **Reference Data Validation** rule ensures that values in a dataset match valid entries from a designated reference dataset. This is typically used to maintain consistency, enforce business rules, and validate the accuracy of values.

**Example Usage**:  
- Verify that all country codes in the input data exist in a reference country table  
- Validate product categories or region codes against an authoritative list  

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## Configuration Fields  

### Rule-Specific Configuration  

| Field Name        | Description                                                 | Required | Data Type |
|:-----------------|:------------------------------------------------------------|:-----------|:------------|
| **Reference Table**  | The dataset or table containing valid reference values        | Yes        | String     |
| **Reference Column** | The column within the reference table used for comparison    | Yes        | String     |

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### Success Criteria Configuration  

| Field Name        | Description                                                    | Required | Options                                | Default |
|:------------------|:---------------------------------------------------------------|:------------|:----------------------------------------|:---------|
| **Operator**        | Comparison operation for the result count                       | Yes        | `GreaterThan`, `LessThan`, `EqualTo`, `Between` |
| **Threshold Value** | Value for comparison (for non-Between operators)                | Conditional | Number                              | -       |
| **Threshold Min**   | Minimum value (for `Between` operator)                          | Conditional | Number                              | -       |
| **Threshold Max**   | Maximum value (for `Between` operator)                          | Conditional | Number                              | -       |
| **Threshold Type**  | Whether threshold represents an absolute count or percentage    | No         | `Absolute Count` / `Percentage`        | Absolute Count |
| **Allow Nulls**     | Whether null values should be treated as valid                  | No         | `true` / `false`                      | false   |
| **Check For Match** | Whether to validate for match or negation of the lookup condition | No         | `true` / `false`                      | true    |

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## Sample Input Data  

| ID | Name    | Country Code | Other Country Code |
|:----|:---------|:--------------|:------------------|
| 1  | Alice   | US           | NULL               |
| 2  | Bob     | CA           | BR                 |
| 3  | Charlie | FR           | US                 |
| 4  | David   | NULL         | NZ                 |

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## Sample Reference Table  

**Table: CountryDetails**

| Country Code | Country Name      |
|:--------------|:------------------|
| US           | United States      |
| CA           | Canada             |
| FR           | France             |
| GB           | United Kingdom     |

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## Sample Configurations  

### Example: Country Code Validation  

| Configuration Field | Value              |
|:---------------------|:------------------|
| Reference Table       | CountryDetails     |
| Reference Column      | Country Code       |
| Operator              | EqualTo            |
| Threshold Value       | 3                  |
| Threshold Type        | Absolute Count     |
| Allow Nulls           | false              |
| Check For Match       | false              |

**Explanation**:  
Validates that exactly 3 values in the Country Code column **do not** exist in the reference table (because `Check For Match` is `false`). This allows validating for non-matches (e.g., to find invalid entries).

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## Sample Output  

| Column Name        | Rule Name               | Success Count | Failure Count | Null Count | Within Threshold |
|:--------------------|:--------------------------|:---------------|:---------------|:------------|:------------------|
| Country Code         | Reference Data Validation  | 3             | 1             | 1          | Yes              |
| Other Country Code   | Reference Data Validation  | 1             | 3             | 1          | No               |

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