# Create your first data flow

Read how to set up your first data flow or use the interactive block below to check out the flow in action.

{% @arcade/embed flowId="uyWFAFaQJPiZb4r97NA0" url="<https://app.arcade.software/share/uyWFAFaQJPiZb4r97NA0?ref=share-link>" %}

On the homescreen, you'll see a big banner with the [Create Data Flow](https://app.coupler.io/app/dataflows/new) button in it.&#x20;

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/JjI0ABDSAVgRbCM4h4RH" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Alternatively, you can navigate to the data flows section. Whichever option you choose, you'll see two options to create a data flow: **Use prebuilt data set** and **Set up from scratch:**

If you opt for **Setup from scratch**, you'll get to the Sources selection step right away.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/AfEdxcEjKEadNEYaGyKW" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="info" %}
Learn more about [data set templates](/functionality/data-set.md) in Coupler.io
{% endhint %}

If you chose the template option, select the appropriate template. After that, you'll need to connect your source data.&#x20;

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Sources

Choose [the sources](https://docs.coupler.io/sources) you want to collect data from and configure them according to the required fields. You may need to choose/specify properties, reports, data entities, metrics, date range, etc. Here is an example of what it looks like for Google Analytics 4 as a data source.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/00gf0Ss8WLJEpF53rORf" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

You can add multiple data sources to your data flow as follows:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Option 1" %}

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/C0R4hiEr9BQF4DWmIV51" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Option 2" %}

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/LcYJLeCNwwBNOtLyxHTX" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

When creating a data flow from a data set template, the data source will be preselected. However, you still can add more data sources if needed. &#x20;
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Data sets

At this step, Coupler.io previews rows from your connected sources and allows you to organize the data using the built-in transformations.

<figure><img src="/files/4wOQbFsA9uwNn3s6V2Fh" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

> In the case of creating a data flow from a data set template, you'll get your data organized and structured already. At the same time, you can apply additional transformations if needed.

Here are the available data transformation options:

**Column management** — hide columns you don't need, rename them, reorder, or change the column type. Supported types: string, number (integer, decimal, percent, currency — with precision control), date, and datetime.

**Filtering** — set criteria to include only the rows you need.

**Sorting** — order data by one or more columns.

**Custom columns** — add new columns with calculated values using formulas.

#### Data blending and aggregation

In addition to the basic column-level transformations, Coupler.io enables you to reshape your data via aggregation or combining multiple sources.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Append</strong></td><td><em>stacks data from sources with a similar structure. Columns are matched by name</em></td><td><a href="/files/a9291wbhEmqqcdNv6g0w">/files/a9291wbhEmqqcdNv6g0w</a></td><td><a href="/pages/DRZ4XrnyiexEgvqceZLi">/pages/DRZ4XrnyiexEgvqceZLi</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Join</strong></td><td><em>merges data from sources with different structures. You select one or more shared columns to link the data sets</em></td><td><a href="/files/NE7dYcjFZNEd0YlnM9ko">/files/NE7dYcjFZNEd0YlnM9ko</a></td><td><a href="/pages/HC2Kdc1x6P1Cb4ev6NMx">/pages/HC2Kdc1x6P1Cb4ev6NMx</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Aggregate</strong> (summarization)</td><td><em>calculates summary values across rows using sum, average, count, min, or max</em></td><td><a href="/files/gLgbM8kPzafWWzwjcToJ">/files/gLgbM8kPzafWWzwjcToJ</a></td><td><a href="/pages/FpymVmiSpgrOtHT3Xr2l">/pages/FpymVmiSpgrOtHT3Xr2l</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

{% hint style="info" %}
Unlike Append and Join, Aggregate doesn't require multiple sources. You can aggregate a single data set to roll up detailed data into totals or averages.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Destinations

Select the [destinations](https://docs.coupler.io/destinations) you want to load your data set to and configure them according to the in-app instructions.

Coupler.io supports multiple destinations within a data flow. For example, you can automate data load from Google Analytics to Google Sheets, your Data Studio dashboard, and Claude, within a single data flow.  &#x20;

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/cNPlWvXGE3J2E4QRj5d7" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

> Moreover, if you have different data sets within your data flow, you can load different data sets to different destinations. For example, the data set from Google Ads may go to Google Sheets, the data set for Facebook Ads - to Looker Studio, and the LinkedIn Ads data set can be connected to Claude.&#x20;
> {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### &#x20;Flow settings

This step allows you to automate data refresh on a schedule. Additionally, you can see the history of runs and set up webhooks for triggered automations.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/O4LUTKDNSJlBOTUbuZLA" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### AI Agent (Optional)

This step is not mandatory, but it allows you to use the Coupler.io AI agent for conversational analysis of your data sets.

<a href="/pages/gfj1bHYeNs5ow7j46KLx" class="button secondary" data-icon="head-side-gear">Learn more about AI agent</a>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.coupler.io/getting-started/how-to-create-your-first-data-flow-with-coupler-io.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.