# 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.

[Learn more: Upload a File](upload-a-file-or-spreadsheet)

## 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](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](../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](../databases)

## 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)

[Learn more: Blending Datasets](../../Preparing%20Datasets/blending-two-datasets)

# 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

1. **Identify your data source** — Where does the data live?
2. **Check for native connector** — [Browse SaaS Connectors](../specific-applications)
3. **Consider automation needs** — One-time or recurring?
4. **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](upload-a-file-or-spreadsheet) — File upload guide
- [Data Email Ingestion](data-email-ingestion) — Email automation
- [SaaS Applications](../specific-applications) — Available connectors
- [Database Connections](../databases) — Database setup
- [Blending Datasets](../../Preparing%20Datasets/blending-two-datasets) — Combine sources