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Getting started
Connect an existing source

Connect an existing source

Make an existing database, warehouse, or object-storage dataset queryable in Altertable. An external catalog reads data from its source without importing it into managed tables.

You need connection credentials and permission to add a catalog. If the source restricts network access, configure network access first.

1. Choose the source

Open Connect existing data and choose the guide for your database, warehouse, or table format. Follow that guide to create the catalog in the intended environment.

For object storage, distinguish querying files in place from syncing files into managed tables.

2. Inspect a table

Open Catalogs and find the new catalog. Inspect its schemas and tables, then open SQL Explorer.

Replace the example catalog, schema, and table with names from your source:

SQL
SELECT * FROM my_source.public.my_table LIMIT 10;

3. Verify the result

Compare the returned rows with the source. Confirm that you connected the intended environment and that the source credentials expose the tables you need.

Do this with your agent

Agent prompt
Read https://altertable.ai/docs/getting-started/connect-data.md for context. Help me connect my existing data to Altertable. Ask which source I use, check the supported connection guide, explain required credentials and network access, and verify a small query against a real table.

Next, build a data app with the data you connected.