# Working with data pools
## Introduction
Data pools store data entities that have been tracked via [de-dupe shape](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-shapes/advanced-shapes/de-dupe-shape) and [track data](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-shapes/standard-shapes/track-data-shape) shapes.
Data pools are created and managed via the **data pools** option in general settings. From here you can add a new data pool, or view/update an existing data pool.
{% hint style="info" %}
For more background information on data pools please see [de-dupe shape](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-shapes/advanced-shapes/de-dupe-shape) and [track data](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-shapes/standard-shapes/track-data-shape) pages.
{% endhint %}
## Need to know
{% hint style="danger" %}
Tracked de-dupe data is retained for 90 days after it's added to a data pool.
{% endhint %}
## Adding a data pool
De-dupe data pools can be created in two ways:
* ['On the fly' from de-dupe shape settings](#adding-a-new-data-pool-via-the-de-dupe-shape)
* [From general settings ](#adding-a-new-data-pool-via-general-settings)
Adding a new data pool via the de-dupe shape
If you're setting up a de-dupe shape and find that the data pool you want to use doesn't exist, you can create it directly from the de-dupe shape settings drawer. Once created, the de-dupe pool can be used in de-dupe shapes defined for the current process flow, and any other process flows in your company profile.
**Step 1**\
Drop a de-dupe shape onto the canvas - settings for this shape are displayed automatically.
**Step 2**\
Click the **create data pool** link beneath the **data pool** field:
**Step 3**\
Enter a **name** and **description** for the required data pool, then click **save**:
**Step 4**\
The de-dupe pool is created and is assigned to this shape automatically.
Adding a new data pool via general settings
You can add and manage data pools via general settings. Once created, the de-dupe pool can be used in de-dupe shapes defined for any process flows in your company profile.
**Step 1**\
Select the **settings** option from the bottom of the dashboard navigation bar:
**Step 2**\
Select **data pools**:
**Step 3**\
Click the **create data pool** option:
...a **create data pool** form is displayed:
**Step 4**\
Enter a name and a description for this data pool, then confirm with the **create** button:
The **name** field is displayed to users when [configuring a de-dupe shape](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-shapes/advanced-shapes/de-dupe-shape/adding-and-configuring-a-de-dupe-shape).
## Viewing & updating data pools
You can access existing data pools from **general settings**.
**Step 1**\
Select the **settings** option from the bottom of the dashboard navigation bar:
**Step 2**\
Select **data pools**:
...all existing data pools are displayed:
For each data pool you can see the `name`, `created at` date/time, and the last `updated at` date/time (i.e. the date and time that this pool was last updated by a process flow run).
**Step 3**\
To view details for a specific data pool, click the associated name in the list:
...details for the data pool are displayed:
In the top panel you can change the data pool name/description (click the `update` button to confirm changes) or - provided the data pool is not currently in use by a process flow - you can choose to `delete` it.
In the lower panel you can see all data in the pool. This data is listed with the most recent entries first - the following details are shown:
| Column | Summary |
| ---------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Value |
The value of the field that was identified as a match for duplicate records. This is the field defined as the key to be used for de-dupe shapes - for example:
In this example, the de-dupe key is set to id, so the value field shown in the data pool will display id values.
|
| Created by | The name of the process flow where this entry was tracked into the data pool. Click this name to open the associated process flow. |
| Created at | The date and time that the record was added to the pool (UTC time). |
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Adding a new data pool via the de-dupe shape
**Step 3**\
Enter a **name** and **description** for the required data pool, then click **save**:
**Step 4**\
The de-dupe pool is created and is assigned to this shape automatically.
**Step 2**\
Select **data pools**:
**Step 3**\
Click the **create data pool** option:
...a **create data pool** form is displayed:
**Step 4**\
Enter a name and a description for this data pool, then confirm with the **create** button:
The **name** field is displayed to users when [configuring a de-dupe shape](https://doc.wearepatchworks.com/product-documentation/process-flows/building-process-flows/process-flow-shapes/advanced-shapes/de-dupe-shape/adding-and-configuring-a-de-dupe-shape).
