A catalog is only useful once it has data to browse, and that data comes from the sources you connect to it. This page walks through adding a new source, reading its sync status, and understanding what happens in the background once a source is connected.
Overview
Every catalog has a Sources tab where you configure and manage the data sources that feed your data model. If a catalog has no connected sources, opening it takes you straight to Sources with an empty state, Connect a Source First, reminding you to set one up before you can access any assets. Once at least one source is connected and its metadata sync finishes, the catalog's asset browser becomes the default view instead.
Adding a new source
To connect a source, open your catalog, go to Sources, and click New Source. You will be asked to choose two things:
Application — the connector for the database, warehouse, or app you want to bring in.
Connection — an existing connection to that application, or a new one where you supply your credentials.
As soon as you pick a connection, the source is added and you're returned to the Sources list. Adding a source requires edit access on the catalog.
Reading the Sources list
Each row in the Sources list summarizes one connected source:
| Column | What it tells you |
| Source Name | The name of the underlying connection. |
| App | The application it connects through, shown with its icon. |
| Status | Active or Inactive, based on whether the connection itself is active. |
| Sync Status | Completed or Failed, for the most recent metadata sync. |
| Last Updated | When the source record last changed; a dash means it hasn't been edited since it was created. Hover for audit details. |
Click any row to open that source's details. From the row menu, choose Edit to jump to the connection's edit screen if you need to fix credentials or settings. Two more columns, Created On and Last Updated By, are hidden by default and can be turned on from the columns menu.
What happens after you connect a source
Connecting a source doesn't make its data appear instantly. Behind the scenes, a metadata sync kicks off automatically, and the platform discovers the source's databases, schemas, tables, and fields, then indexes them as catalog assets. This can take a little while, so check back after a short pause rather than expecting assets right away.
The Sync Status column tells you how the last sync went. If it shows Failed, open the connection through Edit, verify the credentials and settings are still valid, save your changes, and check the status again once the next sync completes.
Removing a source
To disconnect a source, open its row menu and choose Delete. You'll be asked to confirm: Delete Source? — this action cannot be undone, so make sure you no longer need the assets it brought into the catalog. As with adding a source, deleting one requires edit access on the catalog.
Notes
You need edit access on the catalog to add or delete sources.
New assets won't show up the moment you connect a source — wait for the background metadata sync to complete first.
A Failed sync usually means the connection's credentials or settings need attention; fix them via Edit and the sync will retry.
Deleting a source is permanent and cannot be undone.