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# Dataset Refresh

> Create a Dataset Refresh automation to re-fetch cloud-connected datasets on a schedule, with Combine or Replace refresh methods and parallel or sequential runs.

Dataset Refresh automatically re-fetches data from a cloud source on a schedule, keeping your dataset current without any manual intervention.

When you connect a dataset to a third-party source—such as Google Sheets, Salesforce, or a database—it captures a snapshot of the data at that moment. Dataset Refresh replaces that snapshot with the latest data from the source at the interval you set.

## Before you start

The datasets you want to refresh must already be connected to a cloud source. If a dataset was created by uploading a file rather than connecting to a live source, it cannot be refreshed with this automation.

## Creating a Dataset Refresh automation

### Step 1: Open the creation wizard

Automations can be created from many places in the app — the Data Library header, a folder or dataset's context menu, the preview panel's Automation section, or the Automations list — not only from a dedicated Automations page. Triggering any of these opens the **create automation** modal.

![20261008_050649_draft_01_learn_automation-creation-editing-moved-from-full-page-routes-to-in-place-modals-with-live-status-and-quick-actions-3_0 (1).png](https://docs.mammoth.io/api/v1/images/20261008_124420_20261008_050649_draft_01_learn_automation-creation-editing-moved-from-full-page-routes-to-in-place-modals-with-live-status-and-quick-actions-3_01.png)

In the type picker, select **Dataset Refresh**. The wizard then shows a step indicator across the top (e.g. "Select datasets" → "Set Schedule" → "Review & save") and advances to the first Dataset Refresh step.

### Step 2: Select datasets to refresh

In the **Select datasets to refresh** step, choose which datasets this automation should refresh. Only datasets connected to an API or database are listed; a tooltip clarifies that databases, cloud apps, and APIs can be re-pulled on a schedule, but uploaded files can't.

- You can add multiple datasets to a single automation—they will all refresh on the same schedule.
- When you add several datasets, choose **In parallel** to refresh them all at once, or **In a sequence** to refresh them one after another in the numbered order shown next to each dataset. Drag datasets using the handle to reorder them.
- Each selected dataset shows its **Update method**, which controls how incoming data is merged (Combine or Replace), editable inline from the same row.

**Refresh methods:**

| Method | Behavior |
| --- | --- |
| **Combine** | Appends new data to existing rows in the dataset |
| **Replace** | Overwrites the dataset with the latest data from the source |

![20261008_050649_draft_01_learn_automation-creation-editing-moved-from-full-page-routes-to-in-place-modals-with-live-status-and-quick-actions-3_1 (1).png](https://docs.mammoth.io/api/v1/images/20261008_124523_20261008_050649_draft_01_learn_automation-creation-editing-moved-from-full-page-routes-to-in-place-modals-with-live-status-and-quick-actions-3_11.png)

### Step 3: Configure the schedule

In the **Set Schedule** step (also referred to as Schedule), choose between two cards: **On schedule** (you can still run it manually at any time) or **Manual only**, which has no automatic runs — the automation then runs only when you trigger it manually or via the API.

For **On schedule**, set **Repeat every** (a frequency unit and a number) and, under **More options**, the start and end of the schedule.

![20261008_050649_draft_01_learn_automation-creation-editing-moved-from-full-page-routes-to-in-place-modals-with-live-status-and-quick-actions-3_2 (1).png](https://docs.mammoth.io/api/v1/images/20261008_124551_20261008_050649_draft_01_learn_automation-creation-editing-moved-from-full-page-routes-to-in-place-modals-with-live-status-and-quick-actions-3_21.png)

The frequency units, the intervals available on each plan, and the start and end options are the same for every automation type. See [Scheduling](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/automations/scheduling) for the full reference. If you change none of the schedule options, the automation starts immediately and runs indefinitely.

### Step 4: Review and save

On the **Review & save** step, enter a descriptive name and optional description, review the automation summary (datasets, schedule, and type), and click **Save automation**.

![20261008_050649_draft_01_learn_automation-creation-editing-moved-from-full-page-routes-to-in-place-modals-with-live-status-and-quick-actions-3_3 (1).png](https://docs.mammoth.io/api/v1/images/20261008_124627_20261008_050649_draft_01_learn_automation-creation-editing-moved-from-full-page-routes-to-in-place-modals-with-live-status-and-quick-actions-3_31.png)

## After creation

The automation appears in the list with status **Active**. The **Details** column shows a summary like: *"Dataset 'products' will be refreshed every 3 hours."*

The automation will execute at each interval. You can also trigger it manually at any time using **Run now** from the detail panel or three-dot menu.

## Viewing refresh status

Click the automation row to open the detail panel. The **Automation Summary** section shows:

- **Refresh method**—The schedule (e.g., "On schedule, every 3 hours")
- **Next run**—When the next refresh is scheduled
- **Ends**—End date, or "Never"
- **Dataset**—The datasets being refreshed

## Editing a Dataset Refresh automation

Open the automation from the Automations list (or from a dataset's preview panel **Automation** section) and choose **Edit** from the three-dot options menu. This opens the automation **edit modal** directly over whatever page you're currently on — there is no separate edit page to navigate to.

![20261008_050649_draft_01_learn_automation-creation-editing-moved-from-full-page-routes-to-in-place-modals-with-live-status-and-quick-actions-3_4 (1).png](https://docs.mammoth.io/api/v1/images/20261008_124659_20261008_050649_draft_01_learn_automation-creation-editing-moved-from-full-page-routes-to-in-place-modals-with-live-status-and-quick-actions-3_41.png)

### Status and quick actions

At the top of the modal, a banner shows the automation's current status:

- **Active** — the automation is running on schedule. You can click **Run Now** to trigger an immediate run, or **Suspend** to pause scheduled runs.
- **Suspended** — scheduled runs are paused. Click **Resume** to reactivate the automation.
- **Error** — the automation has an error.

### Making changes

In the **DETAILS** section you can:

- Rename the automation
- Update its description

In the **CONFIGURATION** section you can:

- Click **Schedule** → **Edit** to expand the schedule editor and change the frequency, interval, weekday selection, and start/end dates
- Add datasets to the refresh list via **Add more**, or remove a dataset from the list
- When multiple datasets are selected, drag to reorder them and choose whether they refresh **In parallel** or **In a sequence**
- Adjust each dataset's update method inline
- The automation **Type** is shown for reference but cannot be changed

Click **Save changes** to apply your edits, or **Delete Automation** to move the automation to Trash. Changes take effect from the next scheduled run.

## Troubleshooting

### Status shows Error

**Cause:** The source connection expired or changed, or the source data structure changed in a way that is incompatible with the existing schema.

**Fix:** Re-authenticate the connection in your Data Library. If the structure changed, check the source columns against the dataset schema.

### Automation runs but data doesn't change

**Cause:** The source has not updated since the last refresh. This is expected: the automation pulls whatever the source currently contains.

**Fix:** Check the source for new data, or use **Run now** after the source updates.

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Source: https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/automations/dataset-refresh.md · Updated: 2026-10-13