# Browse your data

> Explore the tables and files your connections can reach, check their columns, and add a table to a pipeline as a source asset.

The **Data Browser** shows what your connections can reach: databases, schemas, tables and files, with their columns and types. Use it to find the data a pipeline needs, preview a few rows, and add an existing table to the canvas.

![The Data Browser listing tables in the raw schema next to the pipeline canvas, where a dashed target offers to create a source for acme.raw.campaigns in a new group](https://getrenart.com/docs-media/data-browser.webp)

## Before you start

[Add a connection](https://getrenart.com/docs/connections-environments/managing-connections.md) for the database, warehouse or storage you want to browse. Files inside the project are available without one.

## Browse a connection

1. In **Build**, open **Data Browser** from the left rail.
2. Choose a connection under **Connected sources**, or **Project files** for files inside this project.
3. Open the namespaces down to a table or file. The search field shows where you are, for example `duckdb-default.acme.raw.`, and you can type a path there directly.
4. Select a table or file. **Columns** lists its column names and types without reading any rows. Choose **Preview rows** when you want to see data.

For CSV and other files, Renart infers the columns from the file itself. The [interface tour](https://getrenart.com/docs/workspace/interface-tour.md#find-data-across-levels) describes the search syntax, storage prefixes and path patterns in detail.

## Add a table to a pipeline

1. Open the pipeline’s **Canvas**, then open **Data Browser** beside it.
2. Find the table and choose **+** next to its name, or drag it onto the canvas.
3. Choose where the new asset goes: an existing group on the canvas, or **Create source in new group**.
4. Check the **Create source asset** review. It shows the asset name, the connection and the file Renart will add to the project. **Import observed columns** is on by default, so downstream SQL gets completion and type checking for this table.
5. Choose **Create source asset**.

A source asset refers to the existing table. Creating it copies no data and runs nothing. To copy data from another system into your warehouse instead, use a [Load asset](https://getrenart.com/docs/asset-types/load-assets.md).

## Result

The table appears on the canvas as a source asset. With its columns imported, SQL that reads the table gets column completion and type checking, the same as for any other asset in the pipeline.

## Related

- [Load assets](https://getrenart.com/docs/asset-types/load-assets.md): copy tables and files between systems, including from storage prefixes you find in the Data Browser.
- [Notebooks](https://getrenart.com/docs/notebooks/overview.md#add-data-from-several-systems): add Data Browser tables and files to a notebook.
- [Catch errors with type checking](https://getrenart.com/docs/editing-assets/type-checking.md): what imported columns make possible.