# Reading a Database Table

Astera Dataprep makes it easy to connect to and work with databases. You can connect, browse, and start preparing your data within a few clicks.

### Option 1: Read a Database Using Chat

1. Start by creating a database connection as a shared action in your project. This allows you to reuse the connection throughout your project.\
   To learn how to create a database connection, click [here](https://documentation.astera.com/miscellaneous/shared-actions#use-case-1-database-connection-as-a-shared-action).
2. Ask in chat to read your desired table.

![](https://3181888596-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzEifS4h8yurLAAwiGNX2%2Fuploads%2Fr46c5hg0fF165keVkrlE%2F0.gif?alt=media)

This approach is ideal if you prefer working through natural language and want to quickly load data from your connected databases without manual browsing.

### Option 2: Use the Data Source Browser

1. Open the *Data Source Browser*.

![](https://3181888596-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzEifS4h8yurLAAwiGNX2%2Fuploads%2Fl6tewh4uAU00cEEpHmIu%2F1.png?alt=media)

2. Click the *Add Data Source* dropdown and choose *Add Database Connection*.

**Note:** When working with Astera Cloud, local (on-premises) databases will not be accessible.

![](https://3181888596-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzEifS4h8yurLAAwiGNX2%2Fuploads%2FCGypiDDMWCU1T7MUIx1x%2F2.png?alt=media)

3. Once your connection is added, browse through the list of tables and simply drag and drop the required table into your dataflow.\
   \
   This creates a *shared action* automatically in your project ready to be used for reading.

![](https://3181888596-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzEifS4h8yurLAAwiGNX2%2Fuploads%2FFGmCrdrd5EQi0jscxxXU%2F3.gif?alt=media)

The table is now ready for filtering, cleaning, or transforming, just like any other dataset.