--- title: "Data updates reference" description: "Check the controls in the Update from file and Sync sections of a dataset's Configuration page, and which dataset formats hide them." --- The dataset settings sidebar has two sections that change a dataset's content: `Update from file` (manual file re-upload) and `Sync` (Dropbox auto-sync). Use this reference to check each control before you change it. For framing — when to use each, what's preserved across updates, who can do what — see [How data updates work in MangoMap](/docs/data-updates/concepts-data-updates). ## Where the sections are | | | | --- | --- | | Page | `Configuration` in the dataset's sidebar | | Sidebar items | `Update from file`, `Sync` | | Hidden when | Dataset format is `GeoTIFF` or `WMS`. The sidebar items don't appear at all. | | Required permission | `Edit` access on the dataset. Dataset creator or account owner; or `Editor`+ account role plus group `Edit` access. | ## Update from file Manual re-upload of the dataset's source file(s). | Control | Type | Effect | | --- | --- | --- | | `Data format` | Dropdown | Pick which format the new file is in: `CSV`, `GeoJSON`, `KML`, `Shapefile`, or `Tab`. Defaults to the dataset's current format if it's one of the five; otherwise `Shapefile`. Disabled during an upload and while the files process. | | `Upload files` | Button | Opens the file picker. Also: drag and drop is supported anywhere inside the section card. | | `Required files` | List | Shows a row per file extension required for the selected format. Filled rows show the file name and a progress bar. Missing rows show a `File missing` alert with an `Upload` action. | | `Remove files` | Button | Clears the current file selection without uploading. Visible only when files are pending and no upload is in progress. | ### Required files by format | Format | Required extensions | | --- | --- | | `CSV` | `.csv` | | `GeoJSON` | `.geojson` | | `KML` | `.kml` | | `Shapefile` | `.shp`, `.dbf`, `.shx`, `.prj` | | `Tab` | `.dat`, `.id`, `.map`, `.tab` | ### State and feedback | State | Display | | --- | --- | | Wrong file type dropped | Alert: `Invalid file type. Please upload [.ext1, .ext2, …] files.` (extensions match the selected format). | | Some required files dropped | Helper text: `4 files are required`. Each added file shows in its row. Each missing row shows `File missing` with an `Upload` button. Upload waits until the set is complete. | | Upload in progress | Progress bar per file. | | File complete | Progress bar is full. | | All files complete, processing | Overlay: spinner plus the text `Processing files...` over the card. Then the processing dialog opens. | The upload begins when every required file is present. ### File checks `Update from file` and `Sync` run the same checks on the new file. A file that fails a check is refused, and the dataset keeps its previous content. | Check | Rule | Message | | --- | --- | --- | | Layer count | One layer. A dataset holds one layer, so a file with several layers is refused. If only one of the file's layers imports, that layer is used. | `This file contains [N] layers ([layer names]). Please upload a single-layer file for this dataset.` | | Geometry type | Same as the dataset: point, line, or polygon. Single and multi-part shapes count as the same type. | `This dataset contains [type] data, but the uploaded file contains [type] data. Upload a file with matching geometry, or create a new dataset.` | | Existing columns | Every column the dataset has must be in the new file. Names match without regard to capital letters. New columns are allowed. | `Missing required columns: "column_a", …` | With `Update from file`, the message shows in the `Processing failed` dialog, which has a `Try again` button. With `Sync`, it shows on the card as `Sync failed: [message]`. ## Sync Enterprise and Agency only Sync uses a connected Dropbox folder. Dropbox is the only supported sync service. The card's UI has three modes depending on whether Dropbox is connected and whether sync is active. ### Mode 1: Dropbox not connected | Control | Type | Effect | | --- | --- | --- | | Card content | Text | Heading: `Connect to Dropbox`. Body: `Enable automatic sync by connecting your Dropbox account`. | | `Connect Dropbox` | Button | Redirects to Dropbox for authorisation, then returns to this dataset's settings with Dropbox connected. If the subscription doesn't include the Dropbox integration, an upgrade prompt opens instead. | ### Mode 2: Dropbox connected, sync not yet activated | Control | Type | Effect | | --- | --- | --- | | Profile row | Name and email | Shows the Dropbox account that's connected. | | `Disconnect` | Button | Disconnects the Dropbox account. While in flight, label reads `Disconnecting...`. | | `Data format` | Dropdown | Same five formats as `Update from file`. | | `Select files from Dropbox` | Button | Opens the Dropbox file chooser. The chooser filters by the selected `Data format`'s required extensions. | | `Required files` | List | Per-extension. Rows fill in as the user selects matching files in the chooser. | When all required files are selected, sync starts automatically. ### Mode 3: Sync active (no pending file change) | Control | Type | Effect | | --- | --- | --- | | Profile row | Avatar + display name + email | Shows the connected Dropbox account. | | `Update File Location` | Button | Opens the Dropbox file chooser to pick a different set of files. After successful selection, sync re-activates with the new files. | | `Disconnect` | Button | Disconnects Dropbox and stops sync. | | Status alert (success) | Alert | `Sync is active. Your dataset will automatically update when files change.` | | Status alert (failed sync) | Alert | `Sync failed: [error message]` (the error string is dynamic). | A `Synced Files` panel below the card shows each synced file's name and size, and a `Last Updated` time (or `Never`). ## Choosing between Update from file and Sync | If your data is… | Use | | --- | --- | | A one-off snapshot from somewhere else, or local edits in a spreadsheet | `Update from file` | | Maintained in a Dropbox folder | `Sync` | | In another cloud provider (S3, Google Drive, OneDrive) | `Update from file` (no direct sync) | A dataset can switch between modes — disconnect Dropbox to stop syncing, then update from a file manually. Re-connecting is a fresh sync with new file selection. ## Related - [How data updates work in MangoMap](/docs/data-updates/concepts-data-updates) - [How to update a dataset from a file](/docs/data-updates/update-a-dataset-from-a-file) - [How to set up Dropbox sync](/docs/data-updates/set-up-dropbox-sync) - [How to change or disconnect Dropbox sync](/docs/data-updates/change-or-disconnect-dropbox-sync) - [How dataset access works in MangoMap](/docs/dataset-access/concepts-dataset-access) - [Importing data](/docs/importing-data)