# Import tasks

Import local files, connector files, or external database tables into target data tables, and track tasks, files, and run records. This page covers import tasks only. To select an external database source and column mappings, first see [Browse connector data sources](connector-data-sources.md).

## Prerequisites

Prepare credentials that can access the target workspace and existing resources required by the target data table. For service endpoints, authentication, and general request formats, see [Prepare to call an API](../../api-call-basics.md).

To import through a connector, you need an existing connector ID. To import local files, use the action that uploads a local file and creates a task. Before structured loading, confirm the source table, target table, and column mapping.

## Call sequence

1. Choose a create method by source: create a task for an existing file, upload a local file and create a task, or create a structured-load task for a database table.
2. Retain the task ID and query task details, task files, and run records. They distinguish task configuration, file processing, and individual runs.
3. To adjust a task, update it. Pause it to stop processing temporarily, then resume it to continue.
4. When a file fails, query its run record and file information before retrying it. Delete a task only after confirming it is no longer needed.

## API operations

### Create and configure tasks

| What you need to do | API operation | Use it when |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Create a task | [Create a connector-file import task](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/create-import-task.md) | Create an import task from an existing source file. |
| Upload locally and create an import task | [Upload locally and create an import task](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/create-local-import-task.md) | Start an import from a local file. |
| Create a structured database-load task | [Create a structured database import task](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/create-structured-load-task.md) | Load data from a connector database table. |
| Import-task object fields | [Import task response fields](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/import-task-object-fields.md) | Understand common fields in an import-task object. |
| Update a task | [Update an import task](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/update-import-task.md) | Adjust an existing task. |

### Track and handle tasks

| What you need to do | API operation | Use it when |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Query tasks | [List import tasks](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/list-import-tasks.md) | Find a task or confirm that it remains in the list. |
| Query task details | [Get import task details](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/get-import-task.md) | View current configuration and status for one task. |
| Query task files | [List import task files](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/list-import-task-files.md) | Check files associated with a task and their processing status. |
| Query run records | [List import task runs](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/list-import-task-runs.md) | Check records for each run. |
| Pause a task | [Pause an import task](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/pause-import-task.md) | Stop a task temporarily. |
| Resume a task | [Resume an import task](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/resume-import-task.md) | Continue a paused task. |
| Retry failed files | [Retry failed import files](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/retry-failed-import-files.md) | You confirmed that files failed and need to process them again. |

### Delete a task

| What you need to do | API operation | Use it when |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Delete a task | [Delete an import task](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/delete-import-task.md) | You confirmed that the task is no longer needed. |

## Confirm the result

After creating, updating, pausing, or resuming, use [Get import task details](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/get-import-task.md) to confirm current task status. Use [List import task files](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/list-import-task-files.md) and [List import task runs](../../../../reference/api/ai-studio/data-connections/import-tasks/list-import-task-runs.md) to inspect processing results and failure information.

## Limitations and notes

- Creating a task means the request was submitted. Task files and run records are where you confirm actual processing.
- Before retrying failed files, inspect failure information in the corresponding task files and run records.
- Before deletion, confirm that you no longer need to query or process its associated files.

## Next steps

- [Browse connector data sources](connector-data-sources.md)
- [Export tasks](export-data.md)