# Reading from a database

**URL:** <https://forum.getodk.org/t/reading-from-a-database/32817>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [March 15, 2021, 10:30pm UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/reading-from-a-database/32817 "2021-03-15T22:30:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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**Author:** ![Grzesiek2010](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.getodk.org/grzesiek2010/32/2881_2.png) [@Grzesiek2010](https://forum.getodk.org/u/Grzesiek2010)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2021, 8:49am UTC](https://forum.getodk.org/t/reading-from-a-database/32817/2 "2021-03-16T08:49:05Z")

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Hi @MB  
We're glad you're here. When you get a chance, please [introduce yourself on this forum thread](https://forum.getodk.org/t/-/6671). I'd also encourage you to add a real picture as your avatar because it helps build community!

We support functions like pulldata/search which read data from external csv files attached to your form.  
If those csv files are dynamic and you need to update them then you need to upload a new version to your server (ODK Central for example) and redownload in Collect. To make sure it's always updated in Collect you can enable [Exactly match server](https://docs.getodk.org/collect-settings/#blank-form-update-mode)

If you need to know more about those functions:

> **[XLSForm Docs](https://xlsform.org/en/#how-to-pull-data-from-csv)**
>
> This site will help you author XLSForms. XLSForm is a tool used to simplify the creation of forms. XLSForm will convert forms authored in Excel into XForms that can be used with a number of web or mobile platforms.

> **[XLSForm Docs](https://xlsform.org/en/#dynamic-selects-from-pre-loaded-data)**
>
> This site will help you author XLSForms. XLSForm is a tool used to simplify the creation of forms. XLSForm will convert forms authored in Excel into XForms that can be used with a number of web or mobile platforms.

[![](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/2X/d/d568a38a6995b4a0a10e9eb847ca0287458a4a49.jpeg "Extract and access external data using "Pulldata" in XLSForm, Kobo Toolbox, and ODK") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hi_K1rWxCo)

[![](https://getodk.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/3X/a/4/a430f34f451c455fb7b4a3efa124abdbdea8c64e.jpeg "How to Use the Search Function in XLSForm, ODK, and KoboToolbox - when you have thousands of choices") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEXa8GK4yE4)

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