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

# Transformations

> Change or add fields after extraction with instructions or code written for your workflow

A transformation changes a workflow's data after extraction and before delivery. Use one to translate a field into English, summarize a long description, classify records by your own rules, or compute a field from other fields.

## How a transformation works

A transformation has one or more steps. Steps run in order after extraction, and each step reads the output of the step before it. A step is one of two kinds:

* **AI instructions**: a model fills each output field by following a written instruction, for example `Translate the title into English`. The step can read the whole record or only the fields you name as input.
* **Code or SQL**: fixed logic that gives the same result every run, for example splitting a full name into first and last name.

Fields the transformation does not output pass through unchanged. [Data quality](https://docs.kadoa.com/docs/data-quality.md) checks run on the transformed data.

## Functions and transformations

Both add or change fields. They differ in where the logic comes from.

| | [Function](https://docs.kadoa.com/docs/workflows/functions.md) | Transformation |
| - | - | - |
| Logic | Built into Kadoa, with options you set | Written for your workflow |
| Examples | Unique ID, Custom categories | Translate, summarize, derive a field |
| Set up in | The **Schema** panel or the API | The agent |

Start with a function when one fits. Use a transformation when no function does what you need.

## Add or change a transformation

Ask the [agent](https://docs.kadoa.com/docs/workflows/agent.md) in the workflow, for example `Add a titleEnglish field with the title translated into English`. The agent writes the step and tests it on your data.

If your workflow has no agent, ask in the [Support Center](https://docs.kadoa.com/docs/support-center.md).

## Review a transformation

Open the [Pipeline](https://docs.kadoa.com/docs/ui/workflows/pipeline.md) panel and select the **Transform** tab. **Computed fields** lists each field the transformation outputs, with a **Code** or **AI** badge. Select a field to see what the step does and the fields it is made from.

Through the API, [Get workflow by ID](https://docs.kadoa.com/api-reference/workflows/get-workflow-by-id.md) returns the `transformation` object:

* `fields`: each output field with its `name`, `type`, `summary`, `step`, and `inputs`. The summary is the field's instruction; fields from code or SQL steps have none. `step` is the type of step that produces the field, `llm_transform` or `code`. `inputs` lists the fields the value is made from, and is empty when the step reads the whole record.
* `contextFields`: the fields the AI steps read as input.

## Limits

* You cannot edit a transformation directly in the dashboard or through the API.
* Realtime monitors do not run transformations.


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