Analytics Builder empowers users to explore and visualize their Brightspace data effortlessly. With built-in data pipeline management, you can focus on gaining insights rather than handling data complexity. It enables you to analyze key learning metrics and create custom visualizations without worrying about version control for most of the use cases and ensures you always have access to the most up-to-date and reliable data.
BDS Minor Version change:
- Custom datasets and analyses created in Analytics Builder by Authors are automatically updated to use the latest BDS minor version.
BDS Major Version change:
- Custom datasets and analyses created in Analytics Builder by Authors are automatically updated to use the latest BDS major version unless there is a breaking change.
In case of a breaking change, Authors will receive a notification alert in Brightspace telling them to take action. The notification leads to documentation on the steps to be taken.
Step 1: Navigate to Analytics Builder
The author needs to navigate to Analytics Builder.
Step 2: Review updated datasets and analyses in Analytics Builder
Custom datasets and analyses affected by the breaking change in the major version update are collected in the Assets to review [D2L Managed] {GUID} folder in Analytics Builder. These assets no longer receive updated data, so Analytics Builder Authors must manually review and update them.
- Select Shared folders and navigate to Assets to review [D2L Managed] {GUID}
- Navigate down the folder structure and select the impacted BDS folder (Example: Grade Results)
- Click on the datasets and analyses that need to be updated (Example: Grade_Results_BDS_Dependent)
- Make necessary changes and publish the dataset/analyses
- After 24 hours, Analytics Builder will check if the impacted assets are fixed and clear them from Assets to review [D2L Managed] {GUID} folder.
Note: If no impacted assets exist, the Assets to review [D2L Managed] {GUID} folder is not displayed.
In BDS Major Version 10, there are 3 BDS with breaking changes. If the Analytics Builder Author has used these datasets, then Assets to review [D2L Managed] {GUID} folder is created and subfolders for each BDS are created. When the Author reviews each folder, the impacted datasets and analyses are listed. Once the Author remediates the impacted assets, then the Assets to review [D2L Managed] {GUID} folder will be cleared and deleted after 24 hours.
Recommended approach to managing "Removed Column" in Analytics Builder:
Start with updating the dataset
- Click on the dataset.
- Go to the Usage tab and make a note of all assets using this dataset.
- Edit the dataset and make modifications corresponding to the breaking change - that is, removing the column. Example: In the case of Grade Results BDS, remove the usage of the isExempt column.
- Review the assets that use this dataset and modify them to handle the column removal.
Recommended approach to managing "Replaced dataset" in Analytics Builder:
Start with updating the dataset
- Click on the dataset.
- Go to the Usage tab and make a note of all assets using this dataset.
- Edit the dependent assets and update them to use the replacement dataset (Example: use Question Answers BDS instead of Quiz Question Answers BDS or Survey Question Answers BDS)
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to impacted assets after I upgrade to BDS v10?
After you upgrade from BDS v9 to v10, Analytics Builder will attempt to auto-upgrade datasets. If the auto-upgrade fails, you will receive a Brightspace notification, and the impacted assets will be moved to a dedicated Assets to Review folder in Analytics Builder.
Key details:
- You will continue to have access to the v9 BDS in Analytics Builder until August 31, 2025 however, these datasets will no longer refresh and may become stale.
- The v10 BDS will continue to refresh based on your existing full and diff refresh schedules.
After August 31, 2025, unresolved assets may have changes auto-applied or may become non-functional if not reviewed and corrected.
IMPORTANT: To avoid any disruption, we recommend reviewing assets in the Assets to Review folder as early as possible following the upgrade to BDS v10.
How do I identify the impacted BDS?
Review Motivations behind the changes in Data Hub Brightspace Data Set (BDS) Major Version 10 and identify the BDS that are impacted by the major version change. While a major version applies to BDS as a whole, it is common that only a handful of BDS are affected.
How do I enable the BDS major version?
In Config Variable Browser, ensure the d2l.Tools.BrightspaceDataSets.Version configuration variable is set to version 10.0 or higher.
When is the latest BDS Major Version available on Analytics Builder?
After the BDS major version is released in Brightspace, new and changed BDS appear in Data Hub after the first full data set runs. The BDS from the new major version are then loaded in Analytics Builder. Depending on the data size, it could take anywhere from 2 hours to approximately a day for the new BDS major version data to appear in Analytics Builder.
What if a custom dataset or analysis is impacted by more than one breaking change?
In such cases, the custom dataset or analysis is listed under all the breaking change BDS.