---
title: "dsCONNECT"
canonical: "https://servicedesk.maxgeo.com/space/mxAPI/1796931598/dsCONNECT"
format: markdown
---
|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Application: | DataShed5 | Build Number: | v3.2.0.1 |

---

> Macro (iframe)

## Transcript

```
Hi there, and welcome!  
[00:00:06] In this quick training session, we’re going to [00:00:10] explore dsCONNECT—your desktop companion for working with DataShed. 
[00:00:14] We’ll walk you through how to set it up, manage layouts, download data, and even automate [00:00:20] refresh schedules. 
[00:00:21] Let’s get started! 
[00:00:23] dsCONNECT is designed to help licensed users pull data directly from the DataShed MDS… 
[00:00:29] …and save it to a [00:00:30] local SQL Express database. 
[00:00:32] It’s all about making data handling simple, consistent, and repeatable—so your team can stay in sync. 
[00:00:39]  
[00:00:39]  
[00:00:39] Imogen: To check your system [00:00:40] info, just click the “Question Mark” icon. 
[00:00:43] This opens a window showing your MDS version, available layouts, and total destination tables. 
[00:00:50] Click OK to close. 
[00:00:52] Out of the box, dsCONNECT comes with three standard layouts: 
[00:00:56] • Arc GIS - 5 tables 
[00:00:58] • IO Gas - 5 [00:01:00] tables 
[00:01:00] •	Leapfrog – 14 tables  
[00:01:02] You can switch between them using the dropdown menu. 
[00:01:06] Want to make changes to a layout? 
[00:01:10] Just select it and click “Edit”. 
[00:01:13] Here, you can update the name, description, or test the MDS version. 
[00:01:20] To create a new layout, click the “Plus” icon. 
[00:01:23] Give it a name and description, then click OK. 
[00:01:29] You’ll see a [00:01:30] confirmation—click OK again to finish. 
[00:01:33] To add a table: 
[00:01:34] •	Click “Add Table”  
[00:01:36] •	Fill in the display name, table name, description, and your SQL [00:01:40] query  
[00:01:43] •	Click OK to save, and OK again to confirm 
[00:01:46] Need to refresh data? 
[00:01:48] •	For a single table, [00:01:50] click “Update Selected Table”  
[00:01:56] For all tables in a layout, click “Update Selected [00:02:00] Layout”  
[00:02:00] To refresh everything, click “Update All Tables” 
[00:02:03] You’ll see progress updates and confirmation messages along the way.  
[00:02:09] To delete a [00:02:10] layout, click “Delete”, confirm your choice, and close the success message.  
[00:02:16] Want to automate table updates? 
[00:02:19] •	Set your [00:02:20] frequency  
[00:02:21] •	Tick the “Enabled” checkbox  
[00:02:23] •	Confirm by clicking Yes 
[00:02:25] The status panel will show that scheduling is active. 
[00:02:29] To turn it off, [00:02:30] just untick the box.  
[00:02:34] In the Settings tab, you can manage your database and API configurations. 
[00:02:40] •	Click “Test Database Connection” to check SQL Express  
[00:02:46] •	Click “Re-check MDS Version” to verify your [00:02:50] MDS  
[00:02:50] Use “View/Edit Environment Configuration” to update API and database details 
[00:02:55] There are two tabs—one for API settings, and one for SQL [00:03:00] Express. 
[00:03:01] Use “Test API Connection” to make sure everything’s working.  
[00:03:06] You can export your data in Excel, CSV, or Access [00:03:10] formats. 
[00:03:10] Just choose your format and destination, then click “Export Data Now”. 
[00:03:15] Confirm with Yes, and click OK when it’s done. 
[00:03:21] To back up or share your setup, click “Export Configuration”, name your file, and save it. 
[00:03:27] You’ll get a success message once it’s [00:03:30] complete. 
[00:03:31] To import a saved setup, click “Import Configuration”, select your JSON file, and choose whether to merge or replace your current [00:03:40] settings. 
[00:03:42] And that’s it!  
[00:03:44] You’re now ready to use dsCONNECT to manage layouts, automate refreshes, and keep your team’s [00:03:50] data setup consistent. 
[00:03:51] Thanks for watching—and happy data managing with DataShed5! 

```