# How do I use DDE (Dynamic Data) tables as a source?

### <span style="color: rgb(53, 152, 219);">**1. Overview**</span>

DDE (Dynamic Data Engine) tables are data tables managed within the Converse platform. They are commonly used as master lists — store directories, product hierarchies, partner details, region mappings — and as the backend for form dropdowns. You can bring any DDE table into Vantage as a source, making its data available for dashboards, widgets, and AI queries alongside your other sources.

When you sync a DDE table, Vantage uses a truncate-and-reload approach: it drops the existing rows and reloads the full table from DDE, so the analytics data always matches the current state of the DDE table.

**2. When to Use**

- When you maintain reference or master data in DDE tables and want to use it for analytics.
- When you want to join a DDE lookup table (e.g., store master) with form submissions or uploaded files using relationships.
- When you have DDE tables powering form dropdowns and want the same data available in dashboards.

**3. Concepts**

- **DDE Table** – A dynamic data table managed within Converse. DDE tables can power live dropdowns in forms (including dependent and cascading dropdowns) and serve as operational reference data.
- **Truncate-and-Reload** – Each sync replaces the entire dataset in ClickHouse with the current contents of the DDE table. This ensures your analytics always reflect the latest master data.

**4. Set Up Guide**

**Step 1: Open Sources**

1. In Vantage, click **Sources** from the navigation.
2. Click **Add Source**.

**Step 2: Select Connector Type**

1. Select **Dynamic Data** as the connector type.

**Step 3: Choose the DDE Table**

1. You will see a list of DDE tables available in your organisation.
2. Select the table you want to bring into Vantage.

**Step 4: Complete the Sync**

1. Vantage reads the DDE table and loads it into ClickHouse.
2. The source appears in the Sources listing with a row count once complete.

**Step 5: Use in Dashboards**

1. The DDE source is now available for widgets, relationships, and AI queries like any other source.
2. To combine DDE data with form or Excel data, define a relationship between the two sources (covered in the Relationships book).

**5. Best Practices**

- Keep DDE table column names stable. Renaming or removing columns requires a resync and may break widgets that reference those columns.
- If the DDE table also feeds form dropdowns, keep the data clean and consistent — the same values will appear in both forms and analytics.
- After updating a DDE table, resync the source in Vantage so dashboards reflect the changes.

**6. Related Links / FAQs**

**Does Vantage keep DDE data in sync automatically?**  
No. DDE source syncs are manual. Click Resync in the source settings whenever the DDE table has been updated.

**Will resyncing a DDE source break my existing dashboards?**  
As long as column names haven't changed, widgets continue working after a resync. If columns were renamed or removed in the DDE table, affected widgets may need reconfiguration.

**Can I use a DDE table as a lookup to enrich form data?**  
Yes. Add both the DDE table and the form as separate sources, then define a relationship between them using a shared key column (e.g., store ID). This is covered in the Relationships book.

**7. Version Notes**

Last Updated: 04 Sep 2026<script src='//in.fw-cdn.com/30395390/222989.js' chat='true'></script>