Files & storage
Set up an SFTP / FTP server
Connect a folder tree on an SFTP or FTP(S) server — the classic file drop. Every file under the chosen path becomes a document, and later syncs re-read only files whose size or modification time changed. Read-only: nothing is ever written to the server.
Before you start
- An account on the server that can READ the folders you want ingested — a password, or for SFTP a private key in OpenSSH format. A dedicated read-only account is the safer choice.
- The host name and, if it is not the standard one, the port.
- Nothing is created on the server and nothing is written back — the account never needs write access.
- Documents → SFTP / FTP server: choose the Protocol (SFTP is the usual one), then enter Host, Port if it is non-standard, and Username.
- Paste either the Password or, for SFTP, the Private key (SFTP) — with its Key passphrase if the key has one.
- Optionally set Folder to start below the login folder, and Exclude patterns for anything to leave out.
- Choose the access groups that may read what it brings in, press Test, then Sync.
What comes in
- Every readable file under the chosen folder becomes a document, keeping its own path so a title reads the way it does on the server.
- Hidden files, temporary files and operating-system litter are skipped.
- Later syncs re-read only what changed — a file whose size and modification time are untouched is left alone.
| Protocol | SFTP, FTPS or plain FTP. SFTP is the usual choice. |
|---|---|
| Host / Port | The server address, and the port when it is not the standard one. |
| Folder | Optional path to start below the login folder. Blank reads everything the account can see. |
| Exclude patterns | Optional patterns for files and folders to leave out. |
Access
A file server exposes no per-file viewer list to follow, so the access groups chosen on this source decide who can ask about everything it brings in. Access stays allow-only.
SFTP and FTPS travel encrypted; plain FTP does not — keep it for servers on your own network. FTPS here means explicit TLS on the standard port 21; implicit TLS on port 990 isn't supported. The server's identity is accepted on first contact rather than pinned, so point it only at servers you trust. Very deep (past 12 levels) or very large (past 20,000 files) trees are bounded — the sweep summary says so whenever a bound is hit. Older FTP servers without the modern listing command (MLSD) still work but sync more slowly.
Last updated 20 Sep 2026