> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.datasaur.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.datasaur.ai/integrations/external-object-storage.md).

# External Object Storage

This integration allows you to create projects using your preferred cloud storage provider. You will have a control over access from Datasaur to your object storage.

How Datasaur handles external files depends on the project type:

* **Document labeling and bounding box labeling:** Datasaur stores only the questions and answers. The original file data remains in your object storage.
* **Span labeling and row labeling:** The data is currently processed and copied into the Datasaur database.

## Supported cloud providers

Datasaur supports integration with the following cloud storage providers:

* [Amazon S3](/integrations/external-object-storage/aws-s3.md)
* [Google Cloud Storage](/integrations/external-object-storage/google-cloud-storage.md)
* [Azure Blob Storage](/integrations/external-object-storage/azure-blob-storage.md)
* [Google Drive](/integrations/external-object-storage/google-drive.md)

## Project creation

During the first step of project creation, you can select your preferred object storage provider, as shown below. You can then enter the file keys for the files you want to label in the project.

<figure><img src="/files/JcvU3ClR5v8kcOl2AD0f" alt=""><figcaption><p>Select files directly from external object storage</p></figcaption></figure>