> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.radicalwhale.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating Datasets

> Create and structure datasets for AI processing

## Creating a Dataset

Click **Datasets** in the sidebar → **Create Dataset**.

**Dataset Name**: Choose descriptive names like "Customer Contact Data" or "Product Inventory Q4". Avoid generic names like "Dataset 1".

**Description**: Explain what data the dataset contains, its source, and intended use.

```
Customer contact information collected from website sign-ups
January-March 2024. For lead qualification and sales outreach.
```

## Column Planning

Plan your column structure before creating the dataset. Consider:

* **Unique Identifier**: Column that uniquely identifies each record
* **Primary Data**: Main information to process
* **Context Columns**: Additional supporting information
* **Output Columns**: Where processed results are stored

You can start empty and add columns later, or import data with columns defined from CSV headers.

## Adding Columns

Click **Add Column** to configure each field:

**Column Name & Key**: Display name (e.g., "Company Name") and system identifier (e.g., "company\_name")

**Data Type**: Short Text, Long Text, Email, URL, Phone, Number, Date, Boolean, or JSON

**Description**: What the column contains and how it should be used

**AI Instructions**: (Optional) How agents should process this column

**Validation Rules**: Data quality requirements

### Example Column

```
Name: Company Name
Key: company_name
Type: Short Text
Description: Official company name from website or registration
Instructions: Extract official name, remove LLC/Inc unless part of brand
Required: Yes
```

## Importing Data

After creating your dataset structure, import data via CSV/Excel upload. The system will map file columns to your dataset columns and validate data during import.

<Info>You can also create records manually for small datasets or testing.</Info>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Import Data" icon="upload" href="/guides/datasets/importing-data">
    Import CSV files and other data sources
  </Card>

  <Card title="Manage Columns" icon="columns" href="/guides/datasets/managing-columns">
    Configure column types and validation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create AI Agents" icon="robot" href="/guides/agents/creating-agents">
    Build agents to process your dataset
  </Card>

  <Card title="Work with Records" icon="table" href="/guides/datasets/working-with-records">
    Add and manage individual records
  </Card>
</CardGroup>