> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://v2.dataos.info/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://v2.dataos.info/consume/v1/evaluate/assets/inputs.md).

# Inputs

Inputs are the source datasets a product reads from. They tell you where the product starts, which systems feed it, and what raw fields exist before any transformation. In `Orders Analytics Platform`, inputs like `CUSTOMERS_EXT` feed the curated outputs and semantic models.

Open **Assets**, expand **Inputs**, and click an input. The detail view shows the source name and location, a summary row with **Kind** and **Schedule**, a **Source metadata** toggle, **View lineage**, and the **Columns**, **Dependencies**, and (when a policy applies) **Policies** tabs.

![Input detail showing kind, schedule, and the columns tab](/files/QFQTDAQMQ46UxI3podJ6)

## What to review

<table><thead><tr><th width="155.1051025390625">Area</th><th>Why it matters</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Source name</td><td>Which system or external table the product depends on. Judge trustworthiness from it.</td></tr><tr><td>Kind</td><td>Whether the data is external or another supported input type</td></tr><tr><td>Schedule</td><td>How current the source data is, based on how often it is read</td></tr><tr><td>Columns</td><td>Raw fields available before transformation, with Tags and Quality</td></tr><tr><td>Dependencies</td><td>What the input feeds, so you can gauge the blast radius of a source change</td></tr></tbody></table>

Inputs often carry shorter descriptions than curated outputs. If a field's meaning is unclear, follow it downstream to see how it is transformed and exposed.

## Lineage

Select **View lineage** for the full graph from the source input through outputs, semantic models, and metrics, left to right. Turn on the **Columns** toggle for column-level lineage: how a specific field like `customer_id` flows into and is used by downstream models. Use the search box inside a node to find a column in larger models.

![Column-level lineage with the Columns toggle on](/files/ajZ7wmCV6CV5WEDNVWju)

Next: [Outputs](/consume/v1/evaluate/assets/outputs.md).


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