---
schema_version: "1"
id: 0273c76155471649950e3e552952b3ff1ee685e3024e757e9742991a00f4ef8a
title: Create Data Streams in Marketing Cloud Intelligence
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/mktg/264-0-0/dato_data_streams.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.dato_data_streams.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 08b5de50fce4afd7970e687d18dfdbd788586338cdb7aed3823be06016ac0fcb
description: Whenever you upload data, data streams are created. These data streams can be referenced throughout the Marketing Cloud Intelligence platform, for example in pivot tables, reports, and dashboards. There are several methods available for creating data streams in Marketing Cloud Intelligence. You can use an API connector to connect via API, TotalConnect to upload external files, LiteConnect if you have data from a single source, or even Granular Data Centers if you have granular data. You can choose which method is best for you.
products:
  - Marketing
  - Marketing Cloud Intelligence
release: "264"
---
# Create Data Streams in Marketing Cloud Intelligence

Whenever you upload data, data streams are created. These data streams can be referenced throughout the Marketing Cloud Intelligence platform, for example in pivot tables, reports, and dashboards. There are several methods available for creating data streams in Marketing Cloud Intelligence. You can use an API connector to connect via API, TotalConnect to upload external files, LiteConnect if you have data from a single source, or even Granular Data Centers if you have granular data. You can choose which method is best for you.

- **[Creating Data Streams with TotalConnect in Marketing Cloud Intelligence](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.dato_data_streams_tc.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)**  
    If you need to upload data from a source and no API connector exists, you can create a data stream with TotalConnect. For example, if you have a proprietary dataset in Excel, CSV, or another file format, or if a custom report is sent to you by a data partner that is beyond the scope of what their API can provide.
- **[Creating Data Streams with API Connectors in Marketing Cloud Intelligence](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.dato_data_streams_api.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)**  
    API connectors enable you to easily connect data sources such as Google Ads or Facebook to Marketing Cloud Intelligence. When you connect an API connector, an API data stream is created that automatically maps the data fields the vendor provides to the Marketing Cloud Intelligence data model, allowing you to access your information.
- **[Creating Data Streams with LiteConnect in Marketing Cloud Intelligence](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.dato_data_streams_lite.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)**  
    With LiteConnect, you can upload a file into Marketing Cloud Intelligence as is and visualize the data automatically. You don’t need to consider the predefined structure and constraints of the data model or map fields.
- **[Create Data Streams with DirectConnect](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.dato_data_streams_direct.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)**  
    DirectConnect is a premium feature that allows you to retrieve data directly from an external database, without having to store the data in Marketing Cloud Intelligence’s database. DirectConnect is used in cases where you have data sensitivity issues, or you want to display and interact with your data from an external source instead.
- **[Pull Data 360 Data into Marketing Cloud Intelligence](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.dato_data_connect_api_concept_datacloud.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)**  
    Data 360 unifies your data from multiple sources so that you can build a comprehensive view of your customer. Pull in a small amount of data with TotalConnect or try the Granular Data Center connector for larger amounts. You can also install the Data Cloud app to get predefined insights.