> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pads4.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Choosing a provider type

The **first step** in the **Data Provider Wizard** is selecting the type of provider that will supply **real-time data** to your presentation.

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## **Steps to Select a Provider Type**

1. Open the **Data Provider Wizard**
   * Follow the instructions in **Adding a Data Provider**
2. Choose a **Provider Type**
3. Click **Next** to proceed with configuration
4. Complete the **Data Provider Wizard**

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## **Available Provider Types**

Each provider type connects to a specific **data source**.

| **Provider Type**             | **Description**                                                     |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **.NET Framework**            | Connects to data sources using **Microsoft .NET**.                  |
| **Bluefox**                   | Retrieves content from **Bluefox**.                                 |
| **Cognimatics**               | Retrieves **audience measurement data** from **Cognimatics**.       |
| **Facebook**                  | Connects to **Facebook** data feeds.                                |
| **Flickr Feed**               | Retrieves **images** from **Flickr**.                               |
| **Folder Content**            | Retrieves files from a **local folder**.                            |
| **FTP Folder**                | Connects to an **FTP directory** to retrieve files.                 |
| **Generic ODBC**              | Connects to a **data source** using an **ODBC driver**.             |
| **Generic OLEDB**             | Connects to a **data source** using an **OLEDB driver**.            |
| **Google Calendar Feed**      | Connects to **Google Calendar** events.                             |
| **Google+ Feed**              | Retrieves **Google+** data.                                         |
| **Intel AIM**                 | Retrieves **facial recognition data** from **Intel AIM**.           |
| **Instagram Feed**            | Retrieves **images** from **Instagram**.                            |
| **JSON Feed**                 | Connects to an **online JSON feed**.                                |
| **JSON File**                 | Retrieves **JSON data** from a local file.                          |
| **Microsoft Access**          | Connects to a **Microsoft Access database**.                        |
| **Microsoft Excel**           | Retrieves data from an **Excel spreadsheet**.                       |
| **Microsoft Exchange Server** | Connects to **Microsoft Exchange**.                                 |
| **Microsoft SQL Server**      | Connects to **SQL Server databases, views, or stored procedures**.  |
| **Microsoft SQL Server CE**   | Connects to **SQL Server Compact Edition databases**.               |
| **Media RSS Feed**            | Retrieves data from a **Media RSS source**.                         |
| **Media RSS File**            | Retrieves **Media RSS** content from a local file.                  |
| **Newmarket Delphi Feed**     | Connects to **Newmarket Delphi**.                                   |
| **OData**                     | Connects to an **Open Data Protocol** data source.                  |
| **Office 365 Exchange**       | Connects to **Microsoft Exchange Online**.                          |
| **Office 365 Excel**          | Connects to an **Excel spreadsheet stored in Office 365**.          |
| **Open Office**               | Connects to an **Open Office Calc file**.                           |
| **PADS4 Viewer Connections**  | Retrieves the **status of all PADS4 Viewers**.                      |
| **PADS4FIDS**                 | Connects to the **PADS4 Flight Information Display System (FIDS)**. |
| **Picasa Feed**               | Retrieves **images** from **Picasa**.                               |
| **PostgreSQL**                | Connects to a **PostgreSQL database**.                              |
| **Quividi Feed**              | Retrieves **audience measurement data** from **Quividi**.           |
| **Seenspire**                 | Retrieves content from **Seenspire**.                               |
| **Static Table**              | Uses an **embedded table** inside your presentation.                |
| **SQL Server Database**       | Connects to a **SQL Server database**.                              |
| **SQL Server CE Database**    | Connects to a **SQL Server Compact Edition database**.              |
| **Text Feed**                 | Retrieves data from a **text-based web feed**.                      |
| **Text File**                 | Retrieves **plain text data** from a local file.                    |
| **Twitter Feed**              | Connects to **Twitter** for real-time posts.                        |
| **RSS Feed**                  | Retrieves **RSS content** from the web.                             |
| **RSS File**                  | Retrieves **RSS data** from a local file.                           |
| **SOAP Web Service**          | Connects to a **SOAP-based web service**.                           |
| **WMI Class**                 | Retrieves **Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) data**.        |
| **XML Feed**                  | Retrieves **XML data** from the internet.                           |
| **XML File**                  | Retrieves **XML data** from a local file.                           |
| **YouTube Feed**              | Connects to **YouTube** for video retrieval.                        |

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## **Next Steps**

* Click **Next** to continue the **Data Provider Wizard**
* Follow the steps in **Configuring Connection Settings**

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## **Additional Notes**

* The **provider type** you select determines the **next configuration steps**
* **Some provider types require additional drivers** (e.g., ODBC, OLEDB, OData)