Extract Shape

The Extract shape represents an extraction operation that pulls specific data or items from a larger dataset or collection.

What is an Extract Shape?

The Extract shape represents:

• Extracting specific data
• Filtering operations
• Pulling subsets
• Data selection
• Sampling operations

According to ISO 5807, this shape indicates an extract operation where specific items are selected from a set.

When to Use

Use the Extract shape for:

• Data extraction: "Extract customer names", "Pull active users"
• Filtering: "Extract records matching criteria", "Select items"
• Sampling: "Extract random sample", "Pull 10% of data"
• Selection: "Extract top 10 results", "Get featured products"
• Parsing: "Extract JSON fields", "Pull XML data"

Visual Appearance

In DiagramKit.AI, the Extract shape appears as:

• Dimensions: 120×120 pixels
• Color: Light red (#fef2f2)
• Border: Red (#ef4444)
• Shape: Triangle pointing up (inverse funnel)

Best Practices

✅ Good Usage

[Query all users from database]
   ↓
[Extract active users only]
   ↓
[Sort by join date]
   ↓
[Display results]

• Specify what is being extracted
• Indicate criteria when relevant
• Show source of extraction
• Use before processing extracted data

❌ Avoid

• ❌ General querying: "Get data" (use Data I/O)
• ❌ Too vague: "Extract" (extract what?)
• ❌ Merging: "Combine data" (use Merge)
• ❌ Without criteria

Common Examples

Example 1: Data Filtering

[Load transaction log]
   ↓
[Extract errors only]
   ↓
[Group by error type]
   ↓
[Generate error report]

Example 2: Sampling

[Query all products]
   ↓
[Extract random 100 products]
   ↓
[Send for review]

Example 3: Field Extraction

[Receive API response]
   ↓
[Extract user.email field]
   ↓
[Validate email format]
   ↓
[Save to database]

AI Prompt Tips

add extract operation for active users
insert extract step to filter data
create extract shape for top results

Related Shapes

• Merge - Opposite of extract
• Sort - For sorting extracted data
• Collate - For organizing
• Decision - For extraction criteria