Overview

A Data Source is the way a component retrieves the records it displays. Every data-aware component in Avonni — Data Table, List, Kanban, Calendar, Map, Repeater, Carousel, Visual Picker — needs one. Without a Data Source, the component has nothing to show.

This page helps you pick the right type for your scenario and links you to the page that covers it in depth.

---

Data Source vs. Resource

Avonni has two different concepts that both deal with data, and they answer different questions.

Concept	Answers the question	Example
Data Source	What records should this component display?	A Data Table showing open Opportunities
Resource	What values should my filters, formulas, or interactions use?	A Variable holding the current user's region

Data Sources feed components. Resources feed logic.

One type — Query — can live in both worlds. You can configure it directly on a component as a Data Source, or configure it as a reusable Resource in the Resources panel so that multiple components and interactions share the same query result.

Rule of thumb

If you're asking "what should this component show?", use a Data Source. If you're asking "what value should my filter, formula, or interaction use?", use a Resource

---

The Four Data Source Types

Type	Best For	Where the Data Lives	Example
Manual	Fixed lists, hardcoded options, mockups	In the component configuration	A Status dropdown with five fixed values
Picklist	Field-driven options that stay in sync with Salesforce	A Salesforce picklist field definition	A Lead Source filter pulling from the LeadSource picklist
Query	Live records from a single Salesforce object	Salesforce (fetched on page load)	A Data Table of open Opportunities this quarter
Nested Queries	Parent-child or related records in one structure	Salesforce (multi-object)	An Account with its Contacts and Opportunities in one view

---

Choosing the Right Type

Walk through these questions in order:

1. Do the values ever change? No → use Manual.

2. Do the values come from a Salesforce picklist field? Yes → use Picklist.

3. Do you need live records from Salesforce?

   • From a single object → use Query.

   • From an object plus its related records → use Nested Queries.

4. Do you also need the component to update automatically when records change? → Add Real-Time Updates on top of your Query.

Info

Real-Time Updates is not a Data Source — it's a refresh mechanism layered on top of a Query. See the Real-Time Data section to enable live updates

---

Where to Configure a Data Source

Every data-aware component exposes its Data Source in the Properties Panel on the right side of the builder.

1. Select the component on the Canvas.

2. In the Properties Panel, open the Data Source section (usually near the top).

3. Pick the type: Manual, Picklist, Query, or Nested Queries.

4. Configure the type-specific settings — object, filters, columns, fields.

Components that use Data Sources include:

• Data Table, List, Kanban, Pivot Table

• Calendar, Scheduler, Activity Timeline

• Map, Carousel, Visual Picker

• Repeater, Tree, Chat

---

Using a Variable as a Data Source

A data-aware component can also be fed from a Variable — specifically, a JSON Collection Variable.

Use this when:

• Records come from a Flow output that is mapped to a Variable.

• An Agentforce interaction writes a collection of records into a Variable.

• You've transformed or filtered records from a Query into a new shape through an Assignment Interaction.

To use a Variable as a Data Source, set the component's Data Source type to Variable and select the JSON Collection Variable from the list. See the Variable page for the full JSON Collection reference.

---