> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.roivenue.com/roivenue-resources/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.roivenue.com/roivenue-resources/roivenue-training/roivenue-app/data/connectors-overview.md).
# Connectors
Connectors load data from advertising and analytics platforms into Roivenue or send it to another destination. Connector types, what they download, and how to manage them.
Connectors bring data from your advertising and analytics platforms. A connector is a set of queries to a platform's API. It asks the platform for the data defined in its template and downloads it automatically every night.
You find all connectors of your account in **Data → Connectors**. Here you add new connectors, check their status, and change their settings.
***
### Insight connectors and export connectors
| Comparison | Insight Connectors | Export Connectors |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **What it does** | Loads platform data into Roivenue for attribution and analysis | Sends platform data directly to a destination you choose, for example Google Sheets. The data does not enter Roivenue. |
| **Where you find it** | **Insight Connectors**, grouped by site | **Export Connectors** |
| **Setup** | Platform, login, data source, template, connector settings | The same steps plus **Destination** |
The connectors you set up during implementation are insight connectors. Export connectors work as a data hub between your platforms and your reporting tools. To send data that is already in Roivenue to other tools, use [Exports](https://docs.roivenue.com/roivenue-resources/roivenue-training/roivenue-app/data/exports).
***
### What a connector downloads
What a connector downloads is defined by its **template**, a predefined set of dimensions and metrics. It differs by platform, but typically includes:
* **Dimensions**, such as date, campaign, ad group, or ad.
* **Metrics**, such as impressions, clicks, cost, conversions, and conversion value.
Each platform has a recommended template, marked with a star ★. It contains what Roivenue needs.
Templates are written in JSON. In **Advanced Connector Settings**, the JSON of a connector can be edited, for example to add a dimension or a metric. This option is not available by default. Your Client Success Manager (CSM) has to enable it for you. A connector changed this way no longer receives template updates.
***
### How to add a connector
1. Go to **Data → Connectors** and click **Add New Connector**.
2. **Select the Data Source Platform.**
3. **Log in to the Marketing Platform**, or choose **Use Previous Login**.
4. **Select Data Source**, for example the ad account or property.
5. **Select Metrics and Dimension Template.**
6. Set the **Connector Settings**, including the **Start Date**, and save the connector.
7. For an export connector, choose the **Destination**.
Set the **Start Date** before you save the connector for the first time, so the history is downloaded. For the full flow, see [Connecting Platforms Yourself](https://docs.roivenue.com/roivenue-resources/implementation/advertising-platforms/connecting-platforms-yourself).
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### How to manage a connector
The list of connectors shows each connector's **Platform**, **Template**, **Status**, **Enabled**, **Fixed Start**, **Fixed End**, and **Last Processed** date. From the list, you can also run a connector right away with **Run Connector Now**.
Click a connector to open its **Connector Details**:
| Tab | What you do there |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Summary** | See the data source, template, dimensions, and metrics. Use **Reauthorize** when the login to the platform has expired. |
| **Settings** | Change the basic settings, such as the name, **Start Date**, and **Next Run Start Date**. If your CSM enabled it, you can also edit the JSON in **Advanced Connector Settings**. |
| **Destination** | Export connectors only. Change where the data is sent. |
| **Data Preview** | Check a sample of the downloaded data. |
| **Versions** | See the history of changes made through Advanced Connector Settings. |
| **Delete** | Delete the connector. |
To download data again for a period, set **Next Run Start Date** to the first day you need and save with **Save and Redownload Data**. The data is downloaded during the next run.
{% hint style="warning" %}
**Deleting a connector deletes all the data that came from it.** Deleted data cannot be restored. To stop downloading new data and keep the history, switch the connector off with the **Active** toggle instead.
{% endhint %}
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### Guides in this section
| Guide | What it covers |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [List of Connectors](https://docs.roivenue.com/roivenue-resources/roivenue-training/roivenue-app/data/connectors-overview/list-of-connectors) | Pages for individual platforms and what you need to connect each of them. |
| [JSON Structure Description](https://docs.roivenue.com/roivenue-resources/roivenue-training/roivenue-app/data/connectors-overview/json-structure-description) | How the JSON of a connector template is built, part by part. |
***
#### FAQ
1. I added a connector, but I don't see any data. Why?
New connectors run during the nightly run, so data usually appears the next morning. If you need it sooner, use **Run Connector Now** in the list of connectors.
2. Why is the history missing in my new connector?
The history is downloaded only if the **Start Date** was set before the connector was saved for the first time. To load it now, set **Next Run Start Date** to the first day you need and save with **Save and Redownload Data**.
3. What is the difference between deleting and switching off a connector?
Switching a connector off with the **Active** toggle only stops future downloads. The data already in Roivenue stays. Deleting a connector deletes all the data that came from it, and it cannot be restored.
4. My connector was disabled automatically. What now?
Roivenue disables a connector automatically after multiple failures over the last few days. Contact or your CSM.
5. When do I need to reauthorize a connector?
When the login to the platform expires or loses access. Open the connector and use **Reauthorize** on the **Summary** tab.
6. What does it mean that a connector has expired?
The connector has a **Fixed End** date in the past, so it no longer downloads data. This is used when a source is replaced by another one from a certain date.
7. Can I add a metric or a dimension to a connector?
Yes, in **Advanced Connector Settings**. This option is not available by default, so ask your CSM to enable it. The connector then stops receiving template updates.
8. My platform is not in the list. What can I do?
Contact your CSM. Roivenue may have a backend connector for it, or the data can come in another way, for example through [Data Upload](https://docs.roivenue.com/roivenue-resources/roivenue-training/roivenue-app/data/data-upload) or [Manual Costs](https://docs.roivenue.com/roivenue-resources/roivenue-training/roivenue-app/data/manual-costs).