In order to begin the first step in the workflow-- Build a Data Table-- the user must initiate a Data Source Configuration. The Data Source Configuration interface allows the user to tackle three actions: adding new data sources, editing previously created data sources, and deleting data sources that no longer exist or are no longer relevant.

Configuration

To initialize the Data Source Configuration, the user can follow these general steps.

First, open the Data Source Configuration interface by selecting the Data Sources menu item in the System Administration tab. 

Next, select the "Add New" button. This will trigger the picklist beneath the button to become available for selection.

Then, select a data source type in the Data Source Type picklist. The user can choose between File, Database (SQL Server or Oracle), Map Service, and Access Database here. The content in the connection parameters section, or the information underneath this picklist, is dependent upon the selected data source type. 

Finally, fill out the connection parameters.

Data Source Types

As indicated above, each Data Source Type has different connection parameters. The breakdown of these parameters and the specific steps toward Data Source Configuration is outlined in other articles which are identifiable by the Data Source Type (File, Database (SQL Server or Oracle), Map Service, and Access Database).