> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.collibra.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.collibra.com/data-quality-self-hosted/connections/supported-connections/supported-remote-files/connecting-to-temp-files.md).

# Connecting to Temp Files

Temp files allow you to upload and run a DQ job on files directly from your local machine. This is not a recommended connection for more advanced users, but can be useful when you first get started in Data Quality & Observability (self-hosted).

{% hint style="info" %}
Temp files cannot be processed within a Kubernetes or distributed deployment (Hadoop, EMR, Dataproc, etc.)
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
The web server removes temp files from the local directory every 24 hours.
{% endhint %}

## Prerequisites

To connect to a temp file, you need:

* A file in a supported file format saved on your local drive.
* The following variable must be set in the owl-env.sh file:`export UPLOAD_FILE_PATH=/<OWL_BASE>/owl/tempfiles/`
* To verify that the Allow Temp File Upload for DQ Job checkbox under Admin Console > Security Configuration is checked.

![Ensure that Allow Temp File Upload for DQ Job is checked.](https://4121921244-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWCrP7Albs8DfJjIQxUxw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-40677670df7f91f227418db4ee4438ba9aa4af8f%2Fdq-temp-files-checkbox.png?alt=media)

## Steps

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
In the main menu, click the **Explorer** button.\ <i class="fa-chevrons-right">:chevrons-right:</i> The Explorer expands.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Temp Files**.\ <i class="fa-chevrons-right">:chevrons-right:</i> Temp Files expands.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Add Temp File**.\ <i class="fa-chevrons-right">:chevrons-right:</i> Upload Temp File alert opens.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Choose File**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Select a file from your local drive.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Open**.\ <i class="fa-chevrons-right">:chevrons-right:</i> Your file loads into the Temp Files folder.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
In the Temp Files folder in the application, select your file.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Create DQ Job**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Verify your file information and enter the required information.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Load File**.\ <i class="fa-chevrons-right">:chevrons-right:</i> The application automatically reads your file and opens Scope & Range.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Select your DQ layers.\ <i class="fa-chevrons-right">:chevrons-right:</i> You can also leave the defaults set.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Save & Run**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Enter a unique name and any additional information.\ <i class="fa-chevrons-right">:chevrons-right:</i> Temp files differ from other remote file connections insofar as they do not require an agent to run successfully. This is a legacy component.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click the **Run CMD** tab.\ <i class="fa-chevrons-right">:chevrons-right:</i> This is a bypass step for temp files.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Run**.\ <i class="fa-chevrons-right">:chevrons-right:</i> Your job is sent to the Jobs queue.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="danger" %}
All temp files are only temporarily stored in the application. At 11:59 PM EST, all temp files uploaded on a given day are automatically removed.
{% endhint %}

## Known Limitations

Temp files do not run successfully on Kubernetes deployments of Collibra DQ. This is a legacy known limitation wherein container environments do not support temp files.