# Create a Data Upload Connection

*Connectors* are a system for all batch data file transfers between impact.com and brands, partners, or other parties. Each connection (an individual connector) has certain attributes, such as the data type (clicks, conversions, product catalogs, etc.), direction (inbound or outbound), method (email, SFTP, FTP), and more.

The Connector wizard allows you to set up connections to other platforms so that impact.com can automatically batch process the data for you. Either receiving data to enhance reporting in the impact.com platform or to deliver enriched data to your systems.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Example**: Suppose you are collecting conversion data (i.e., Actions) on the server-side or through a cookie. In that case, you can submit your data to impact.com so you can visualize your program's performance, attribute credit to partners, and modify or reverse any actions before they lock.
{% endhint %}

#### Create an inbound connection

1. From the top navigation bar, select ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1183576591b45997efe4dc81a25024640591d02a%2F245137dc972a7a7f6165b59538fcdbac8fd5bd8fee4ba9f20c1a2982c5b58b57.svg?alt=media) **\[User profile] → Settings**. 
2. In the left column, under *Technical*, select **Connections**.
3. Select **Create Connection** in the top right to access the Connector wizard.
   * You can't delete a connection once it's been created.

<details>

<summary>Connector terminology</summary>

| Term               | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Name               | Provide a name that describes the connection. E.g., *Upload Aggregate Performance Data*.                                                                                                                                                     |
| Direction          | The direction of the data that this connection supports: *Inbound* is data coming into impact.com, *Outbound* is data going out of impact.com to another platform.                                                                           |
| Data Type          | The type of data this connection processes (E.g., conversion data, action modifications, etc.).                                                                                                                                              |
| Method             | The transfer method this connection uses, E.g., FTP, SFTP, or Email.                                                                                                                                                                         |
| Methodology        | The transfer methodology. *Inbound* connections support “Push to Impact” and “Pull from 3rd Party”. *Outbound* connections support “Pull from Impact”.                                                                                       |
| Connection Details | The connection details that will be required is dependant on a combination of the chosen *Direction*, *Method* and *Methodology*. In some cases the you will need to provide details and in other cases impact.com will provide the details. |

</details>

#### Step 1: Direction

1. Enter the connection name and select the *Direction* of the data, in this instance select **Give data to impact.com**.
   * Read about **receiving data from impact.com**.
2. Select **Next** to continue.

   <div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-912f882faa68e16b82485c87b5ce3a8eee3b1484%2F5e7d2e8cecad37c5bd27ba5b09758deba9b0ed3c8ef9bdc1827bcbdfc77aff2d.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### Step 2: Type

1. Select the type of data that the connection will support, e.g., **Conversions**.
2. Select **Next** to continue.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2FX6ez3jME0YSxD4SRc4aD%2F5367F56D-5ECD-487C-BE9A-DC2A2EF52B94.jpeg?alt=media&#x26;token=2fbb4fce-9b25-4d64-9772-26476aefdca2" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### Step 3: Method

1. Select the *Method* to use to give data to impact.com: **Email**, **SFTP**, or **FTP**.

   * The *Email* method requires that you add a wildcard pattern that matches filenames of attachments within the email, e.g., `Conversions_202?_*.csv`.
     * **`*`** represents any sequence of characters.
     * **`?`** represents any single character.

   <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="warning" class="hint hint-warning"><p><strong>Warning:</strong> All attachments in an email should match the wildcard pattern, or the email will be ignored. Attached files prefixed with <code>receipt_</code> or <code>result_</code> will be ignored, because they are reserved for receipt or result files.</p></div>
2. Select the *Methodology* to use, either **Push to impact.com** or **Pull from third party**.
   * The *Pull from third party* methodology requires that you enter a **Folder** with the absolute directory path that contains the file, e.g., `/home/AcmeAdvertiser/Conversions`.
3. ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d0b6669ae76a7bef06a8d6940d7ad5c16bb8d018%2F7cb018d4face8d7cceb880eb5086c812e764fbcfe6f2a0377f88bc7576973070.svg?alt=media) **\[Toggle on]** Toggle on **Encryption** to enable encryption for the connection. Encryption is only available for inbound connections (uploads to impact.com), not outbound (downloads from impact.com).
   * Select **Generate New Key** to generate a new 2048-bit RSA [public/private key pair](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public-key_cryptography) . The key pair is valid for two years and is used for PGP encryption and decryption of your data files. You will receive the public key only, which must be used to encrypt your data files before uploading them to this connection.
   * (Optional) You can select **Copy to clipboard** to store the new key on your clipboard.
4. Select **Next** to continue.

   <div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2e73adbc1485a3f03071ad5a6ac16403c5af73d6%2F0841c644fb2774339b9adc6eae2eb8c330197b419e4feec76b1ef5e977034521.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### Step 4: Credentials

1. Either select existing credentials, or create new credentials.
   * The screens to create credentials may look different depending on the selected method.
   * You will see a popup displaying your provisioned credentials. Select **Copy** to proceed.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Email" %}
Enter the credential's name and the return email address, then click **Create**.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0150d418ecca82a3076be593b86abacfa617ecba%2F083879f06705817e5c18cf4f88adfddaad65eee93879dacae5f507e3ac3d9075.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="SFTP" %}
Enter the credential's name and click **Create**.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1b38a8caf6f8ba9924b961f14b7a085bf5d54ae9%2F12eac16e39acaf19e517731d1bb0966094c5a8db8a0324b6d01761e5bd78cbd2.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="FTP" %}
Enter the credential's name and click **Create**.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f2e07bbcacf5aebdef510346501f6e837b9b3bb0%2Fb96c5c5cd32bc8d7c3aed00612e963c92f40a1135b9de0ff0133f5e8eed8363a.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

2. Select **Next** to continue.

#### Step 5: Review

Review the configuration to ensure all details are captured correctly and then select **Create** to create the connection. Once your connection has been created, you can use this connection to upload data to impact.com.