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File from URL datasource

The File from URL datasource allows you to fetch and import data from files hosted on remote servers. This datasource is ideal for accessing JSON, XML, or spreadsheet files that are regularly updated on external websites or services.

Prerequisites​

Before creating a File from URL datasource:

  • Ensure the target URL is publicly accessible or properly authenticated
  • Verify the file format is supported (JSON, XML, RSS, Google Sheet, Excel)
  • Confirm network connectivity to the remote server
  • Check that the file size is reasonable for regular updates

Supported URL Types​

  • HTTP/HTTPS URLs: Standard web-accessible files
  • File formats parsed into data: JSON, XML, RSS, Google Sheet, Excel, JDBC
  • CSV/TSV: not parsed — the file is fetched but kept as unparsed text, not turned into datasource rows
  • Authentication: Basic HTTP authentication supported
  • File size: Recommended maximum 50MB per file

Create datasource​

Go to Settings > Datasources and open the External Datasources tab. Click Add external datasource, then on the Choose a datasource type screen select File from URL.

Basic Configuration​

1. Update Schedule: Set how often the datasource updates under Refresh settings: a Simple interval or an Advanced schedule (cron). Learn more: Refresh and caching

2. URL Field: Enter the complete URL to your file

Examples:
  • https://api.service.com/export/users.json
  • https://feeds.example.org/data.xml
  • https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/.../export?format=xlsx

3. File Format Detection: The system automatically detects file format based on:

  • File extension in the URL
  • Content-Type headers from the server
  • File content analysis

Advanced Settings​

4. Advanced settings: A File from URL datasource always stores the downloaded file on your Wallboard server, so it has no caching settings. Learn more: Refresh and caching. Active, Continue refreshing despite errors, Connection settings and shuffling lists (Process and filter data) are explained in Advanced datasource settings.

Authentication​

For URLs requiring authentication:

  • Use Connection settings > Custom headers (advanced) to add authorization headers
  • HTTP Basic Authentication is supported through URL format: https://username:[email protected]/file.csv
  • Bearer tokens can be added via custom headers

Error Handling​

The datasource includes built-in error handling for:

  • Network connectivity issues
  • Invalid URLs or missing files (404 errors)
  • File format parsing errors
  • Server timeouts
tip

Enable Continue refreshing despite errors to prevent temporary network issues from disabling your datasource.

Completion​

5. Click Save to create your File from URL datasource.

After saving, the system will:

  • Validate the URL accessibility
  • Perform an initial file fetch
  • Parse and validate the file format
  • Schedule regular updates according to your configuration
info

Monitor the datasource status in the Datasources list to ensure successful operation. Initial setup may take a few minutes for the first file fetch and processing.