Run Obfuscator
After you have a saved Obfuscator Configuration, you can run Obfuscator on an input File or compatible dataset.
An Obfuscator Run applies the selected Configuration and enabled Rules to the input. The original source File is not overwritten. The Run creates output you can review and download.
Before you begin
Confirm that:
- the Obfuscator Configuration is the one you intend to use
- the Configuration has a current saved revision
- the input File or dataset matches the Import Config used by the Configuration
- the input includes the Fields referenced by enabled Rules
- you know which Fields should change and which should remain unchanged
- someone will review the output before it is shared
Typical run steps
A standard Obfuscator Run usually looks like this:
- Open Obfuscator Configurations.
- Select Run for the Configuration you want to use.
- On Run Obfuscator, optionally edit the Run name.
- Under Choose input, choose Upload file or Use previous dataset when available.
- If uploading a File, use Select file.
- In Preview (20 rows), choose the Fields you want to preview.
- Select Preview.
- Review Preview results to compare original and obfuscated values.
- Select Run.
- Watch Progress while Obfuscator imports, processes, and exports the dataset.
- When the Run completes, review Completion and Downloads.
- Open Obfuscator Job History later if you need to review the Run again.
Run setup
The Run screen includes these user-facing areas:
| Area | What it means |
|---|---|
| Run name | Optional friendly name that makes the Run easier to find in Job history. |
| Choose input | The input area where you select the File or previous dataset for this Run. |
| Upload file | Uses a File from your machine as the input. |
| Use previous dataset | Uses a compatible dataset from an earlier Run when available. |
| Select file | The file picker for an uploaded input File. |
| Audit | Optional setting for detailed Run review information when available. |
| Run | Starts the Run. |
| Cancel | Stops the Run while it is in progress. |
Previewing results
The Run screen includes Preview (20 rows). Preview compares original and obfuscated values for selected Fields before you run the full Tool.
The preview area includes:
- Columns, where you choose one or more Fields to preview
- Preview, which runs the preview
- Preview results, which shows Row, each selected Field as original, and each selected Field as obfuscated
Use preview to check whether the selected Rules are pointed at the right Fields and whether the output shape makes sense. Because Obfuscator uses randomness for many methods, running preview or running the Tool again may produce different values.
Progress and completion
During a Run, Obfuscator shows progress information such as:
- Status
- Rows read
- Rows inserted
- Problems
- Rows output
- Rows removed
- elapsed time and estimated remaining time while the Run is active
When the Run finishes, Obfuscator shows Completion with the Run result and counts for Records read, inserted, problems, output, and removed.
Output and downloads
The main output is an obfuscated File. On the completion screen, it appears in Downloads when the output is ready.
The output keeps the dataset structure available while replacing values in Fields targeted by enabled Rules. Fields that are not targeted by enabled Rules remain in the output.
If Obfuscator records problems during processing, review the Problems count and the Job Summary before using the output.
Obfuscator Job History
The Obfuscator Job History screen lists recent local Obfuscator Runs. It shows:
- Job
- Started
- Duration
- Status
- Imported
- Exported
- Problems
- Cells changed
- Actions
Use Summary to open the detailed page for a Run.
Obfuscator Job Summary
The Obfuscator Job Summary page shows the selected Run and includes:
- Job details
- last Run time
- status
- input File
- Rows imported
- Rows processed
- Rows exported
- Problems
- Cells changed
- Warnings
- Downloads
Use Download in Downloads to download the obfuscated output when it is ready.
What to review after the Run
Do not check only whether the Run completed. Review whether the result is appropriate for the intended use.
Inspect representative Records and ask:
- Were the intended Fields obfuscated?
- Did any sensitive Fields remain unchanged?
- Did any non-sensitive Fields change unexpectedly?
- Are randomized values within the expected range?
- Do placeholder names, emails, numbers, dates, or codes make sense for the output's purpose?
- Are the Problems and Cells changed counts reasonable?
- Is the output ready for testing, demos, training, reporting, or handoff?
If the result is not what you expected
If the output is not correct, do not share or move the dataset forward.
Instead:
- Return to the Obfuscator Configuration.
- Check the Rule order, target Fields, and Rule settings.
- Adjust the Configuration.
- Save the revised Configuration.
- Run Preview again.
- Run again on a small representative File before using the output downstream.
Common mistakes to avoid
- running Obfuscator against a File that does not match the selected Import Config
- assuming a completed Run means all sensitive Fields were protected
- ignoring the Problems count
- skipping preview when Rules use random values or placeholder data
- sharing output without reviewing Fields that were not targeted by Rules
- deleting or losing the original input File when you may need the original values later