---
title: Connector directory
slug: '1702'
canonical_url: https://docs.coveo.com/en/1702/
collection: index-content
source_format: adoc
---
# Connector directory

A [source](https://docs.coveo.com/en/246/) is a virtual container that contains [items](https://docs.coveo.com/en/210/) from a [repository](https://docs.coveo.com/en/2739/) like your company website, a database, or a SharePoint system.
The [**Sources**](https://platform.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/content/sources/) ([platform-ca](https://platform-ca.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/content/sources/) | [platform-eu](https://platform-eu.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/content/sources/) | [platform-au](https://platform-au.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/content/sources/)) page of the [Coveo Administration Console](https://docs.coveo.com/en/183/) lets you create and manage sources.

When you [add a source](https://docs.coveo.com/en/3390#add-a-source), Coveo uses a [connector](https://docs.coveo.com/en/2734/) to establish a connection with your repository, and it [indexes](https://docs.coveo.com/en/204/) items and their permissions.
Depending on the selected [content security](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1779/) option, the source content is accessible to authorized users through a [search interface](https://docs.coveo.com/en/2741/).
If the selected option is **Same users and groups as in your content system**, only users with the appropriate [permissions](https://docs.coveo.com/en/223/) can view a given item in the search results.

Some connectors can use different [content retrieval methods](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1612/) depending on where the content is located and how you want to extract it.
Once the content is retrieved, the [indexing process](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1893/) is the same regardless of the connector or retrieval method.

## Connector types

Coveo offers a variety of [native](#native-connectors) and [generic connectors](#generic-connectors) that let you index virtually any content repository.
You can also use the connectors created by Coveo's partners or, if none of the existing connectors meets your needs, build your own connector.
See the [list of the available connectors](#choosing-the-right-connector).

### Native connectors

_Native connectors_ have been made by Coveo to index content from a specific repository.
They're the easiest to use, as Coveo has already determined what the source should index and designed a user interface for this connector.
When creating such a source, all you typically have to do is provide connection information and check some boxes to fine-tune what will be indexed.

For example, you can use Coveo's [native connectors](https://docs.coveo.com/en/pa780168/) to index Confluence, Jira Software, Salesforce, and SharePoint content.

[native connectors](https://docs.coveo.com/en/pa780168/) support the latest cloud version of cloud repositories and some specific versions of on-premises repositories.
Typically, you can choose from up to three [content security options](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1779/) to determine who can access the indexed content through a search interface.

See the [list of native connectors offered by Coveo](#choosing-the-right-connector).

### Generic connectors

_Generic connectors_ are created by Coveo to index content from various types of repositories, such as databases, web applications, and websites.
They let you index any repository that doesn't have a [native connector](https://docs.coveo.com/en/pa780168/), including custom repositories, as long as it meets certain requirements.

Content sources that use a [generic connector](https://docs.coveo.com/en/pa6h0282/) are configured through a user interface.
Some sources, such as the [REST API](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1896/) and [Database](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1885/) sources, require you to enter a code configuration.
This configuration specifies what content to index and how to retrieve it.
While this process is more complex and requires greater expertise compared to using sources with a [native connector](https://docs.coveo.com/en/pa780168/), Coveo can help simplify the initial steps.
When [adding a source](https://docs.coveo.com/en/3390#add-a-source), the feature may suggest a sample code configuration from the [Coveo GitHub Connectivity Library](https://github.com/coveooss/connectivity-library) for use with a specific [generic connector](https://docs.coveo.com/en/pa6h0282/).

Given their versatility, you may find that several of these connectors can be used to index the same repository.
Deciding which one to use typically comes down to considerations like available [content security options](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1779/) and [content retrieval methods](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1612/).
Refer to a connector's **Source key characteristics** section for this information and for the complete list of connector features.

The most popular [generic connectors](https://docs.coveo.com/en/pa6h0282/) are the [Web](https://docs.coveo.com/en/malf0160/), [Sitemap](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1967/), [REST API](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1896/), [GraphQL API](https://docs.coveo.com/en/n6gh2329/), and [Database](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1885/) connectors.
See the entire [list of generic connectors offered by Coveo](#choosing-the-right-connector).

### Custom-built connectors

If none of the connector options above fit your needs, you can build your own connector, that is, write a crawling program that retrieves your content and provides it to Coveo for indexing.
To do so, send your content [items](https://docs.coveo.com/en/210/) to a [Push source](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1546/) using the [Push API](https://docs.coveo.com/en/68/).

## Choosing the right connector

The table below lists all the native and generic connectors Coveo offers.
If the repository you want to index doesn't appear in the table, follow these steps to determine which connector to use:

. In the [**Add a source of content**](https://docs.coveo.com/en/3390#add-a-source) panel, search for your system in the **Search for a specific source or an application to index** box.
Coveo may have [generic connector](#generic-connectors) recommendations for the repository you want to index.

. If Coveo doesn't recommend a connector, determine which generic connector is the best fit for your repository.

 .. Ask yourself how the content you want to index can be accessed.
 Then, narrow down the list of generic connectors to the ones that support the [content retrieval methods](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1612/) compatible with your repository and IT security requirements.

 .. For the remaining candidates, click the connector name in the table to reach its dedicated page.
Check the **Source key characteristics** table to see if the connector meets your needs in terms of [content security](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1779/) and other features.

. As a last resort, consider building a [custom connector](#custom-built-connectors).
Contact your Coveo representative for more information and guidance.

[cols="2,1,2,2",options="header"]
|===
|Connector |Type |[Content retrieval method](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1612/) |Available in

|[Amazon S3](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1616/)
|Native
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)

|[Box Business](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1594/)
|Native
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)

|[Catalog](https://docs.coveo.com/en/n8of0593/)
|Generic
|Push
|[Commerce solutions](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#commerce-solutions)

|[Confluence Cloud](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1530/)
|Native
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)

.2+|[Confluence Data Center](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1822/)
.2+|Native
|On-premises
|N/A (available as an option of the [Enterprise Platform Plan](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans))
|Crawling Module
|[Enterprise Platform Plan](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans) with Crawling Module add-on

.2+|[Database](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1885/)
.2+|Generic
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)
|Crawling Module
|[Enterprise Platform Plan](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans) with Crawling Module add-on

|[Dropbox Business](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1636/)
|Native
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)

|[File](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1766/)
|Generic
|Crawling Module
|[Enterprise Platform Plan](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans) with Crawling Module add-on

|[Google Drive](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1531/)
|Native
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)

.2+|[GraphQL API](https://docs.coveo.com/en/n6gh2329/)
.2+|Generic
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)
|Crawling Module
|[Enterprise Platform Plan](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans) with Crawling Module add-on

|[Jira Software Cloud](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1655/)
|Native
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)

.2+|[Jira Software Data Center](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1772/)
.2+|Native
|On-premises
|N/A (available as an option of the [Enterprise Platform Plan](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans))
|Crawling Module
|[Enterprise Platform Plan](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans) with Crawling Module add-on

|[Khoros Community](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1691/)
|Native
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)

|[Microsoft Dynamics 365](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1915/)
|Native
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)

|[Push](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1546/)
|Generic
|Push
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)

.2+|[REST API](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1896/)
.2+|Generic
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)
|Crawling Module
|[Enterprise Platform Plan](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans) with Crawling Module add-on

|[RSS](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1647/)
|Generic
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)

|[Salesforce](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1052/)
|Native
|Cloud
|[Product entitlements](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456/)

|[SAP](https://docs.coveo.com/en/9618/)
|Native
|Cloud
|[Product entitlements](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456/)

|[ServiceNow](https://docs.coveo.com/en/2107/)
|Native
|Cloud
|[Product entitlements](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456/)

|[SharePoint Online](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1739/)
|Native
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)

.2+|[SharePoint Server](https://docs.coveo.com/en/2061/)
.2+|Native
|On-premises
|N/A (available as an option of the [Enterprise Platform Plan](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans))
|Crawling Module
|[Enterprise Platform Plan](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans) with Crawling Module add-on

|[Sitecore](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1579/)
|Native
|Push
|[Product entitlements](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456/)

.2+|[Sitemap](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1967/)
.2+|Generic
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)
|Crawling Module
|[Enterprise Platform Plan](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans) with Crawling Module add-on

|[Slack](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l8490367/)
|Native
|Cloud
|[Enterprise Platform Plan](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)

.2+|[Web](https://docs.coveo.com/en/malf0160/)
.2+|Generic
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)
|Crawling Module
|[Enterprise Platform Plan](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans) with Crawling Module add-on

|[YouTube](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1637/)
|Native
|Cloud
|All [Platform Plans](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456#platform-plans)

|[Zendesk](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1880/)
|Native
|Cloud
|[Product entitlements](https://docs.coveo.com/en/l2590456/)
|===

## Support for older system versions

Coveo connectors only support system versions that are actively maintained by their vendor.
When a vendor announces that a version is at end-of-life, Coveo stops support for this version.
This means Coveo no longer actively maintains and tests the connector with this version.

However, a connector can generally still be used with a system version for which support has been dropped.
You therefore don't have to upgrade to a newer version to continue to index your content.

## "Suggest a source" and "Upgrade license" options

![Suggest a source and Upgrade license options](index-content/suggest-source-upgrade-license.png)

Two options are available at the bottom of the [**Add a source of content**](https://docs.coveo.com/en/3390#add-a-source) panel in the [Coveo Administration Console](https://docs.coveo.com/en/183/):

* **Suggest a source**: Use this option to request a new connector that meets your needs.
Coveo is always on the lookout to index popular and emerging systems.

* **Upgrade license**: Use this option when the source you need is grayed out, either because you need access to the Crawling Module ([crawlingmodule]) or because the source isn't included in your license.