> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.adopt.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connecting a data source

> Step-by-step for linking a source (Google Drive, SharePoint, File Upload, S3) and syncing its files into a client's Doc Store.

This is how files get into Adopt: link a source, then sync its files into a client's Doc Store.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/adoptai-0ccbafe4/baSPGzarREDH1-vx/images/acct-connectors-gallery.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=baSPGzarREDH1-vx&q=85&s=9be97f91d80284c5af136e9a071a1754" alt="The Connectors library — pick a source to sync into a Doc Store" width="1495" height="812" data-path="images/acct-connectors-gallery.png" />
</Frame>

## Before you start

Decide which client (workstream) these files belong to. Files sync into **that** client's Doc Store and are isolated to it.

## Connect a source

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Connectors">
    Open the Connectors area (or the "Add files" / "Sync data" step in setup).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a connector">
    * **Google Drive** — sync folders of documents.
    * **SharePoint** — connect a site library.
    * **File Upload** — drag in PDFs and spreadsheets directly (no external system).
    * **Amazon S3** — sync a bucket prefix.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize and scope it">
    Provide the connection details the connector asks for, then select what to pull in — the folder, library, or bucket prefix.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Run the sync

Once connected, run a **File Sync** to bring the files into the Doc Store. Run it once now, or set it to run on a schedule so new files come in automatically. See [Sync settings and filters](/builder-guide/sync-settings-and-filters).

After the sync, the files appear in the client's Doc Store (File Explorer). If they don't, see [Sync problems](/troubleshooting/sync-problems).

<Warning>
  Choose the most privacy-preserving connection option a source offers, and scope the connector to the folder or prefix you actually need — not an entire drive. Connected sources are isolated per workstream, just like uploaded files.
</Warning>

## Next steps

1. [Sync settings and filters](/builder-guide/sync-settings-and-filters)
2. [Connectors and sync](/core-concepts/connectors-and-sync)
3. [Connector reference](/reference/connector-reference)