# Data streams, connectors and ingestion settings

*Data 360 Consultant Study Guide · Data Source Connection and Ingestion · Last updated October 16, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/data-360-consultant/data-source-connection-and-ingestion/data-streams-connectors-and-ingestion-settings*

Which connector fits each source, the one-time choices on a data stream (category, primary key, event time), refresh modes and schedules per connector, Ingestion API schema and delete rules, and the settings that cut ingestion credits.

- Certification: Salesforce Data 360 Consultant
- Exam section: Data Source Connection and Ingestion
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/data-360-consultant

**Official exam objective:**

> Describe processes and considerations for data ingestion from varied sources into Data 360.

## What the exam expects

- Pick the connector for a source: Salesforce CRM, Marketing Cloud Engagement, cloud storage, local file upload, Ingestion API, Web and Mobile App, or an unstructured connector.
- Set a data stream's one-time choices correctly: category, primary key (including composite keys), event time field and record modified field.
- Choose refresh modes and explain each connector's schedule, including CRM batch versus streaming and Marketing Cloud Engagement extract modes.
- Plan Ingestion API schema changes, record deletes and credit-saving settings.

Key terms:
- **Data stream:** a connection plus the data it ingests into a DLO.
- **Category:** Profile, Engagement or Other; fixed once the stream is saved.
- **Event time field:** the immutable date that orders Engagement records.
- **Record modified field:** the timestamp that stops older records overwriting newer ones.
- **Starter data bundle:** a Salesforce-defined stream definition already mapped to the data model.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Can't change after the stream is saved | [Category](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_category.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| CRM incremental refresh | Every 10 minutes; periodic full refresh off by default | [Data Stream Schedule](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_data_stream_schedule.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| CRM full refresh interval | None, 10, 25 or 50 days | [Full refresh interval](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_crm_data_full_refresh_interval.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Engagement history | 90 days when MCE streams are created | [MCE connector](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_marketing_cloud_data_sources.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| MCE full extract | Up to 100 million rows | [Limits](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_limits_and_guidelines.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Local file upload | Under 2 GB; up to 100 upload streams; primary key uniqueness not enforced | [Upload a file](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_upload_a_csv_file.htm&language=en_US&type=5), [Limits](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_limits_and_guidelines.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Cloud storage schedule | 5-, 15- or 30-minute intervals available | [Refresh modes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_data_stream_edit_settings.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Ingestion API streaming | 200 KB per request; 200 records per delete request | [Limits](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_limits_and_guidelines.htm&language=en_US&type=5), [Delete Ingested Records](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_delete_data_stream_records.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Deletes | Require Upsert; no cascading | [Delete Ingested Records](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_delete_data_stream_records.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Schema update | No type changes; all existing fields present | [Schema requirements](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/data/data-cloud-int/guide/c360-a-ingestion-api-schema-req.html) |

## Check yourself

- Why must the event time field be immutable?
- When does a Salesforce CRM data stream stay in batch mode?
- Why does deleting a profile record leave its engagement records behind?
- How do you carry a text field as a number in an Ingestion API schema?

## Sources

- [Data Streams in Data 360](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=c360_a_data_streams.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Category](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_category.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Primary Key](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_primary_key.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Composite Key](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_composite_key.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Record Modified Field](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_record_modified_field.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Data Stream Settings and Refresh Modes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_data_stream_edit_settings.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Data Stream Schedule in Data 360](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_data_stream_schedule.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Salesforce Connectors for Data Cloud](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_salesforce_connectors.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [CRM Connector Streaming](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_crm_connector_streaming.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Configure Periodic Full Refresh Interval](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_crm_data_full_refresh_interval.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Marketing Cloud Engagement Connector](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_marketing_cloud_data_sources.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Extract Mode for a Marketing Cloud Engagement Data Extension in Data 360](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_extract_settings.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Create a Data Stream from a Marketing Cloud Engagement Data Extension](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_create_marketing_cloud_data_extension.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Ingestion API](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.c360_a_ingestion_api.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Requirements for Ingestion API Schema File](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/data/data-cloud-int/guide/c360-a-ingestion-api-schema-req.html)
- [Delete Ingested Records in Data 360](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_delete_data_stream_records.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Ingest Data by Uploading a File](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_upload_a_csv_file.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Data Stream Updates Using File Upload](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_upload_a_csv_file_update_data_stream.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Data 360 Limits and Guidelines](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_limits_and_guidelines.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Web and Mobile App Connector](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_web_mobile_app_connector.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Unstructured Data File Formats and Connectors](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_unstructured_data_connect.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Billing Considerations for Data Ingestion](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_billing_considerations_for_data_ingestion.htm&language=en_US&type=5)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 20 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Data 360 Consultant pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams