Connect enterprise databases, document systems, and object storage via data connectors to query and reference data in real time within applications
This page covers the legacy data connections. The new Connector is now available, supporting a broader set of connectable systems and exposing them to agents over MCP. Legacy connections must be migrated before September 30, 2026 — see Data Connection Migration.
Connector Types
Connectors are categorized into two types based on how data is stored and accessed: Platform-Hosted and Streaming.
| Access Pattern | Connector | Data Storage Method | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform-Hosted | Files | Stored on platform | Upload and manage unstructured documents (PDF, Word, Markdown, etc.) |
| Platform-Hosted | Tables | Stored on platform | Import and query structured tabular data (CSV, Excel, etc.) |
| Streaming | MySQL | Data remains in original database; accessed in real time | Connect to a MySQL database and execute SQL queries |
| Streaming | PostgreSQL | Data remains in original database; accessed in real time | Connect to a PostgreSQL database and execute SQL queries |
| Streaming | PolarDB-X 2.0 | Data remains in original database; accessed in real time | Connect to Alibaba Cloud PolarDB-X 2.0 distributed database |
Prerequisites
- Account Permissions: Alibaba Cloud primary account or RAM user with data connection management permissions.
- Data Source Preparation (by connector type):
| Connector | Required Preparation |
|---|---|
| Files / Tables | Files ready for upload |
| MySQL | A MySQL database instance (Alibaba Cloud RDS or self-managed), accessible over public or private network |
| PostgreSQL | A PostgreSQL database instance where the wal_level parameter is set to logical |
| PolarDB-X 2.0 | An Alibaba Cloud PolarDB-X 2.0 instance located in a region that supports private network access |
Creating a Connector
Navigate to the console at Data Ingestion → Data Connections, click Create Connector, select the connector type, and complete the configuration as described below.
- Files
- Tables
- MySQL
- PostgreSQL
- PolarDB-X 2.0
The Files connector manages unstructured documents (e.g., PDF, Word).
- Select Files as the connector type.
- Enter a Connector Name and Description. The description helps improve application invocation accuracy—include details about data content and intended usage.
- Under Storage Location, select Use Platform Storage: Data is stored in platform-provided storage space, with a limit of up to 100,000 files or 1 TB. Free tier available for limited time.
Importing Data
After creating a connector, import data into it.
Files Connector
- From the Data Connections list page, click Details for the target connector to open its detail page, then navigate to the Files tab.
- In the left-hand Category tree, select an existing category or click + to create a new one.
- Click Import Data, choose Local Import, and upload files.
- Select a Parsing Method (default or custom); the system automatically parses uploaded files.
Database Connectors
For database connectors (MySQL / PostgreSQL / PolarDB-X 2.0), data remains in the original database—no manual import is required. Once the connector is created, data can be queried in real time directly from applications.
Data Import API
In addition to console operations, you can manage data imports programmatically using APIs. See API Reference — Data Import.
The Data Import API (
/api/v1/connector/dash/) uses the same workspace domain and authentication method as other APIs. For details, see API Overview.