> AI agents: this is one page from Mammoth Analytics documentation. The index of all pages as Markdown is https://docs.mammoth.io/llms.txt. Append `.md` to any docs URL, or send `Accept: text/markdown`, to get Markdown.

# Data sources overview

> Understand the methods to bring data into Mammoth Analytics and choose the right approach for your workflow.

Mammoth has several ways to create a dataset: upload a file, paste from a spreadsheet, connect to a source, generate sample data with AI, import from a URL, load a built-in sample, or receive data through a webhook. All methods produce a dataset you can explore, transform, and visualize.

This section is for anyone adding data to Mammoth, from analysts loading a file to administrators setting up recurring feeds. If you are not sure which method to use, start with [Dataset creation options](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/data-sources/dataset-creation-options). To load a file from your computer, start with [File upload](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/data-sources/file-upload).

![New Dataset dialog with Upload selected, a drop area, and Upload file and Upload folder buttons](https://docs.mammoth.io/api/v1/images/20260408_152218_Dataset_creation_option.jpg)

## Ways to create datasets

| Method | Best for | Size limit | Auto-refresh |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Upload** | Files from your computer | 50 MB per upload | No |
| **Paste from Clipboard** | Quick tests, small datasets | Browser memory | No |
| **Connectors** | Recurring, large, or live data | Depends on the source | Yes (Dataset Refresh) |
| **Generate with AI** | Testing and prototyping | User-defined (max 500 rows) | No |
| **From URL** | File links | None stated; larger files take longer | No |
| **Sample Files** | Exploring Mammoth, training, demos | Fixed sample datasets | No |
| **Webhooks** | Event-driven external pushes | Payloads held until processed | Push-based; processed daily or on Refresh |

## Upload

Drag-and-drop or browse for files from your computer. Best for one-time analysis, ad-hoc exploration, and working with files you already have.

- **Handles:** CSV, Excel (.xlsx, .xls), TSV, XML, and other formats (PDF and images when enabled for your workspace) listed in [Supported formats](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/data-sources/supported-formats)
- **Size limit:** 50 MB per upload; a folder counts as one upload (see [limits and quotas](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/limits-and-quotas))
- **Best for:** Exploring new data, one-time projects, partner-provided files

See [File upload](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/data-sources/file-upload) and [Supported formats](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/data-sources/supported-formats).

## Paste from clipboard

Copy data directly from Excel, Google Sheets, or any spreadsheet—then paste into Mammoth. A quick way to get started with small datasets.

- **Handles:** Tab-separated or comma-separated text, such as cells copied from a spreadsheet
- **Practical limit:** Browser memory
- **Best for:** Quick tests, small datasets, ad-hoc requests

See [Paste from clipboard](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/data-sources/paste-from-clipboard).

## Connectors (Live Connections)

Connections to databases, APIs, and business applications. Mammoth pulls data from the source into a dataset, and the Dataset Refresh automation can refresh it on a schedule.

- **Best for:** Recurring analysis, large datasets, production workflows

See [Connectors](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/connectors/) for the catalog of supported sources, how to add a connector, and per-connector guides. If a connection fails, see [Connection troubleshooting](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/troubleshooting/connection-troubleshooting).

## Generate with AI

Describe the dataset you need in natural language, and AI creates realistic sample data for you. No source data is required.

- **Generates:** Any data structure you describe
- **Size:** User-defined or AI-determined
- **Best for:** Testing pipelines, prototyping dashboards, training scenarios

See [Generate with AI](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/data-sources/generate-with-ai).

## From URL

Provide a file URL (a public link or a signed URL), and Mammoth fetches the file and creates a dataset.

- **Handles:** `.csv`, `.xlsx`, `.pdf`, `.zip`, and more (see the full list in the guide)
- **Best for:** Public datasets, open data portals, shared cloud storage links

See [Import from URL](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/data-sources/import-from-url).

## Sample files

Pick one of the sample datasets that come with Mammoth, grouped into Business, Technology, Finance & Real Estate, and Healthcare & Entertainment.

- **Best for:** Exploring Mammoth, training, and demos

See [Sample files](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/data-sources/sample-files).

## Webhooks

Receive data pushed directly into Mammoth from external systems via a unique webhook URL. Use it for event-driven pipelines.

- **Handles:** JSON or form data sent in a POST request from external applications or automation tools
- **Dataset modes:** Replace existing data each time held payloads are processed, or combine them with existing records (new webhooks start in Replace mode)
- **Data shape:** Each payload lands as a raw JSON row in a single text column
- **Best for:** Event data, third-party app integrations, automated data pipelines

See [Webhooks](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/data-sources/webhooks).

## Not sure which to use?

See [Dataset creation options](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/data-sources/dataset-creation-options) for a comparison, a decision framework, and common scenarios.

## Manage batches and Views

After you create a dataset, these guides explain how its data and Views behave:

- [Batch management](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/data-sources/batch-management): how batches work, Combine and Replace modes, and how to suspend or delete batches.
- [Batch operations in detail](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/data-sources/batch-operations-detail): filtering by batch, automated batch workflows, scale, and examples.
- [View management](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/data-sources/view-management): create, name, duplicate, reset, and template Views, and control Auto-sync.

## After dataset creation

Whichever method you used, you now have a dataset. Next steps:

- **Explore the data.** Mammoth provides Explore Cards, the Metrics Panel, Filter Pills, and a Data Quality Report. See [Explore and discover](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/explore-discover/).
- **Transform the data.** Build pipelines to clean, combine, and prepare your data using transformation functions or AI Prompt. See [Transform data](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/transform/).
- **Share or export.** Export to Excel or CSV, create Live Links, send to destinations, or publish as a Dashboard. See [Export and share](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/export-share/).
- **Automate refresh.** For datasets from Live Connections, set up scheduled refresh with email notifications and activity logging. See [Automations](https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/automations/).

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Source: https://docs.mammoth.io/learn/data-sources.md · Updated: 2026-10-13