📚 Part of the series Application Building Phase 1: Core components

So far in this section, you’ve:

• Created application periods and rounds

• Created application-scoped fields

• Created application materials

While you haven’t yet created a Slate-hosted application, you’ve created most of the basic data structures in Slate that are required to import applications and test scores from external sources.

That makes now a logical time to configure your database to receive these applications and scores.

So, without further ado:

How Slate imports external applications and test scores

When data enters your database, it often does so via Upload Dataset, the primary Slate tool for the intake of outside data.

To automate Upload Dataset, we use source formats, which interpret the outside data in a regular way and route its information to the right fields in your database.

Many of the standard third-party integration sources have source formats in Slate, which can be added from the Source Format Library.

Looking for application sources in the Source Format Library

Part of the work involved in adding a source format to your database is mapping the incoming data to the way you’ve created fields in Slate.

➡️ Take a moment to search the Source Format Library for your application and test score sources.

Adding and configuring application source formats

As you look through the Source Format Library, add each of the application sources you plan to accept.

Then, for each application or test score source you’ve added:

➡️ Explore our Application Sources and Test Scores documentation to configure the source formats.

In these articles, we walk you through the process of configuring the source formats for your database.

This usually includes:

• mapping values to your Slate fields

• determining the behavior for new record creation

• setting up a connection between your database and the source

• establishing import timing

Creating custom source formats

If you don’t see one of the applications you accept in the list of standard source formats, fear not: you can quickly spin up a custom source format that intakes a given application or test type and does all the same things our standard source formats do to prepare the data for your readers.

➡️ Follow steps to create a custom source format.

➡️ Up next: Collecting application fees

You’ve configured source formats for the external application and test score sources you plan to bring into Slate. There’s one last step to complete before we build out the application proper: configuring your database to process payments associated with the application.

📚 Next article in this series: Collecting application fees