---
title: Upload data files
description: You can upload files, analyze their fields and metrics, and import their data into an Elasticsearch index using the Data Visualizer. Open the Integrations...
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4001/manage-data/ingest/upload-data-files
products:
  - Elastic Cloud Serverless
  - Kibana
applies_to:
  - Elastic Cloud Serverless: Generally available
  - Elastic Stack: Generally available
---

# Upload data files
You can upload files, analyze their fields and metrics, and import their data into an Elasticsearch index using the Data Visualizer.
1. Open the **Integrations** page using the global search field, then search for **Upload a file** using the integrations search field.
2. Select **Upload a file** to open the Data Visualizer.
3. Depending on your version and deployment:
   <applies-switch>
   <applies-item title="stack: ga 9.0.0-9.1.8" applies-to="Elastic Stack: Generally available from 9.0 to 9.1">
   1. Drag a file into the upload area or select **Select or drag and drop a file** to choose a file from your computer.
   You can upload different file formats for analysis with the Data Visualizer.
   The supported file formats are:
   - CSV, TSV, NDJSON, log files
   - Up to 500 MB by default
   - PDF, TXT, RTF, ODF, Microsoft Office files (up to 60 MB)
   After you upload a file, you can inspect its data and make any necessary changes before importing it.
   2. Select **Import**.
   3. Enter a name for the index where the data will be stored, then select **Import** again to complete the process.
   </applies-item>

   <applies-item title="{ "serverless": "ga", "stack": "ga 9.2" }" applies-to="Elastic Cloud Serverless: Generally available, Elastic Stack: Generally available since 9.2">
   1. Select **New index** or **Existing index**.
   2. Enter a name for the new index, or select an existing index from the dropdown.
   3. Drag one or more files into the upload area, or select **Select or drag and drop files**.
   The supported file formats are:
   - CSV, TSV, NDJSON, log files
   - <applies-to>Elastic Cloud Serverless: Generally available</applies-to> Up to 500 MB
   - <applies-to>Elastic Stack: Generally available</applies-to> Up to 500 MB by default
   - PDF, TXT, RTF, ODF, Microsoft Office files (up to 60 MB)
   After you upload your files, you can inspect the data and make any necessary changes before importing it.
   <applies-to>Elastic Cloud Serverless: Generally available</applies-to> <applies-to>Elastic Stack: Generally available since 9.3</applies-to> To stop analysis of a file, select **Remove file**.
   4. Select **Import**.
   <applies-to>Elastic Cloud Serverless: Generally available</applies-to> <applies-to>Elastic Stack: Generally available since 9.3</applies-to> While the import is in progress, select **Cancel** to stop it.
   </applies-item>
   </applies-switch>

After the uploaded data is imported into the specified Elasticsearch index, you can start exploring it. For more details, refer to [Explore and analyze](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4001/explore-analyze).
<important>
  The upload feature is not intended for use as part of a repeated production process, but rather for the initial exploration of your data.
</important>


## Required privileges

Elasticsearch provides roles and privileges that control which users can upload files. To upload a file in Kibana and import it into an Elasticsearch index, you’ll need:
- `all` Kibana privileges for **Integrations**, **Discover** and **Data Views Management**
- `manage_pipeline` or `manage_ingest_pipelines` cluster privilege
- `create`, `create_index`, `manage`, and `read` index privileges for the index

You can manage your roles, privileges, and spaces in **Stack Management**.