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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 steps

From the **Automations** tab, click **New automation**, then select **Dataset Refresh**.

The Dataset Refresh steps open.

![Dataset Refresh form listing the products dataset with Combine update method and an On schedule option](https://docs.mammoth.io/api/v1/images/20260418_184401_dataset-refresh-form1.jpg)

### 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.

- 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. Drag datasets to reorder them.
- Each dataset has a **Refresh method** (Combine or Replace), which controls how incoming data is merged.

**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 |

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### Step 3: Configure the schedule

In the **Set Schedule** step, choose **On schedule** (you can still run it manually at any time) or **Manual only**. With **Manual only** there are no automatic runs. The automation then runs only when you trigger it manually or through 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.

![Dataset Refresh schedule with Repeat every, and the Start and End options (now, never) expanded](https://docs.mammoth.io/api/v1/images/20260418_184431_dataset-refresh-scheduling1.jpg)

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 step, enter a descriptive name, check the settings, and click **Save automation**.

## 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 and click **Edit**, or use the three-dot menu → **Edit**. You can:

- Add or remove datasets
- Change the schedule frequency and interval
- Update start/end dates
- Rename or re-describe the automation

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: 2026-10-03