Choose a Data Source
Select the right connection method for your data
Choosing a Data Source
Scoop connects to data wherever it lives—spreadsheets, cloud applications, databases, or automated reports. Choosing the right connection method affects automation, refresh frequency, and analysis capabilities.
Quick Decision Guide
| I want to... | Use this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quickly explore a spreadsheet | File Upload | Fastest way to start |
| Automate recurring reports | Data Email | Set and forget |
| Connect CRM, marketing, etc. | SaaS Connector | Live sync, full API access |
| Query my data warehouse | Database Connector | Direct SQL access |
| Combine multiple sources | Blended Dataset | Unified analysis |
Connection Types Explained
File Upload
Best for: One-time analysis, prototyping, small datasets
Upload spreadsheets directly to Scoop:
- CSV, Excel (.xlsx, .xls)
- Google Sheets (via link)
- Drag and drop interface
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Instant setup | Manual updates |
| No credentials needed | No automation |
| Works with any file | Limited to file size |
When to use: Exploring new data, ad-hoc analysis, testing before automation.
When to upgrade: When you need regular updates, consider Data Email or SaaS Connector.
Data Email
Best for: Automated ingestion of scheduled reports from any system
Scoop provides a unique email address for each dataset. Send or forward reports to this address for automatic ingestion.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Works with any system | Depends on email delivery |
| No API required | Slight delay (email timing) |
| Handles CSV, Excel, PDF | Manual setup of source schedule |
Supports:
- CSV and Excel attachments
- PDF reports (with table extraction)
- Multiple files per email
Common use cases:
- CRM scheduled reports (Salesforce, HubSpot)
- ERP exports (NetSuite, SAP)
- Marketing platform reports
- Any system with "email report" feature
Learn more: Data Email Ingestion
SaaS Connectors
Best for: Live connections to cloud applications
Connect directly to 100+ popular applications with OAuth authentication:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| CRM | Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Monday.com |
| Marketing | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Marketo |
| Support | Zendesk, Intercom, Freshdesk |
| Finance | QuickBooks, Xero, Stripe |
| Product | Mixpanel, Amplitude, Segment |
| Operations | Jira, Asana, Airtable |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Native API integration | Requires OAuth access |
| Automatic schema updates | API rate limits may apply |
| Scheduled or on-demand sync | Some apps have limited APIs |
Features:
- One-click OAuth setup
- Automatic field discovery
- Daily sync (or more frequent)
- Snapshot tracking for entity data
Browse Connectors: Specific Applications
Database Connectors
Best for: Direct access to data warehouses and operational databases
Connect to databases for live queries or scheduled extracts:
| Database Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Cloud Warehouses | Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift |
| Relational | PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server |
| Cloud Databases | Azure SQL, AWS RDS |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Full SQL access | Requires credentials |
| Large data volumes | Network/firewall setup |
| Live or scheduled | Technical expertise needed |
Features:
- Custom SQL queries
- Table or view selection
- Scheduled extracts
- Incremental loading
Learn more: Database Connections
Blended Datasets
Best for: Combining data from multiple sources
Create unified datasets by blending:
- Multiple Scoop datasets
- Different connection types
- Aggregated and filtered views
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cross-source analysis | Requires existing datasets |
| Automatic refresh | Blend logic to configure |
| Visual formula builder | Row count considerations |
Common blends:
- CRM + Marketing (attribution)
- Sales + Finance (revenue recognition)
- Support + Product (customer health)
Decision Matrix
| Your Goal | Typical Example | Recommended Connector | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick exploration | "Analyze this spreadsheet" | File Upload | Instant, manual |
| Automate reports | "Load CRM export weekly" | Data Email | Scheduled, reliable |
| Live SaaS sync | "Connect Salesforce deals" | SaaS Connector | Real-time, OAuth |
| Warehouse access | "Query Snowflake tables" | Database Connector | SQL, scheduled |
| Multi-source analysis | "Combine sales + support" | Blended Dataset | Unified, auto-refresh |
Choosing Between Similar Options
File Upload vs. Data Email
| Factor | File Upload | Data Email |
|---|---|---|
| Automation | Manual | Automatic |
| Frequency | One-time | Recurring |
| Setup effort | Lowest | Low |
| Best for | Exploration | Production |
Recommendation: Start with File Upload, upgrade to Data Email when you need automation.
Data Email vs. SaaS Connector
| Factor | Data Email | SaaS Connector |
|---|---|---|
| Data freshness | Report schedule | Daily/real-time |
| Setup | Email address | OAuth flow |
| Flexibility | Any report format | API-defined fields |
| Reliability | Depends on email | Direct API |
Recommendation: Use SaaS Connector when available; fall back to Data Email for systems without API.
SaaS Connector vs. Database
| Factor | SaaS Connector | Database Connector |
|---|---|---|
| Access level | API permissions | Database credentials |
| Data | Application objects | Raw tables |
| Setup | OAuth (easy) | Connection string |
| Best for | App-specific data | Warehouse/BI data |
Recommendation: Use SaaS Connector for application data; Database Connector for warehouse data.
Getting Started
- Identify your data source — Where does the data live?
- Check for native connector — Browse SaaS Connectors
- Consider automation needs — One-time or recurring?
- Start simple — File Upload for exploration, upgrade later
Tip: You can always change connection types. Start with what's easiest, then optimize for automation and freshness as your needs evolve.
Related Topics
- Upload a File — File upload guide
- Data Email Ingestion — Email automation
- SaaS Applications — Available connectors
- Database Connections — Database setup
- Blending Datasets — Combine sources
Updated about 2 months ago