> ## 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.

# Data Caching for Data Providers

PADS4 Designer includes **data caching** functionality for data providers, making it easier and faster to design data-driven presentations — even when the data source is slow or temporarily unavailable.

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## **Purpose of Data Caching**

* **Speed up design time** when data providers are slow to load.
* **Allow offline design work** when the data source cannot be reached (e.g., external teams or remote locations).
* Enable **sharing presentations** with cached data so others can design and test without needing direct access to the data source.

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## **Enabling Data Caching for a Data Provider**

1. **Open** your data provider settings in PADS4 Designer.
2. On the **first page of the data provider configuration**, locate the option **"Use Design Cache"**.
3. **Enable** this option to activate caching.
4. Optionally, **limit the number of rows** (up to 999 rows) to control cache size.
5. If you **do not want to store original data** in cache, you can enable **"Generate sample values"** to let PADS4 create artificial sample data for design purposes.

> **Note:** Sample values will follow the format: `Value_<row number>`

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## **Benefits of Using Design Cache**

* **Faster** graphic design experience, especially with slow-loading data sources.
* **Offline capability** for designers who don't have access to the original data source.
* Ability to **share presentations with preloaded data**, enabling third parties to work on layout and design without needing data access.
* Immediate **page rendering on load** without waiting for live data.

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## **Cached Data & Refresh Behavior**

* **Cached data is static** until refreshed.
* PADS4 Designer **does not automatically update cached data** — it shows what was stored at the time of caching.
* To **update** the data, you need to manually refresh the cache from the data provider.

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## **Preview Mode and Caching**

* While previewing a presentation in PADS4 Designer, you can choose whether to **use cached data or live data**.
* **Ribbon bar** contains a toggle to **enable/disable data cache** during preview:
  * **Enabled:** Faster loading using cached data.
  * **Disabled:** Direct live data retrieval for real-time preview.

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## **Behavior on Presentation Load**

* If caching is enabled, **cached data is used first** to quickly display the presentation.
* Meanwhile, **PADS4 will attempt to load fresh data in the background**.
* **New data will replace cached data** when retrieved — this update happens **once during load**.
* Further updates require **manual refresh** of the data.

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## **Sharing Presentations with Cached Data**

* **Design presentations with data providers and cache enabled**.
* Share the `.padsx` file with third parties.
* Recipients can **open and design using cached data** — even if they **don't have access to the live data source**.
* Cached data enables full use of **data connections, rules, and layout testing**.

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## **Important Notes**

* **Caching is for design time only.**
* **PADS4 Viewers do NOT use cached data.** They always fetch **live data** at runtime.

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## **Summary of Key Points**

| **Feature**                    | **Behavior/Benefit**                                              |
| ------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Use Design Cache**           | Store data locally for fast access and offline design             |
| **Sample Values**              | Use generated placeholder data to avoid storing real data         |
| **Preview Mode Cache Toggle**  | Switch between cached and live data for faster preview            |
| **Automatic Data Refresh**     | Cached data loads first, background refresh happens once          |
| **Sharing with Third Parties** | Cached data allows others to design without accessing live data   |
| **Viewer Behavior**            | **Viewers do not use cached data**; they require live connections |