Working with Knowledge folders
Answers to common questions about knowledge folders and files in Atlan.
Find answers to common questions about working with knowledge folders and files in Atlan.
What file formats can I upload?
You can upload PDF, Markdown (.md), YAML (.yaml, .yml), JSON (.json), and plain text (.txt) files. Support for additional formats is on the roadmap.
PowerPoint (.pptx) decks can be exported and uploaded as PDFs, so the charts and diagrams on your slides are read along with the text.
How does Atlan read PDF files?
After you upload a PDF, a model reads it and captures the charts, diagrams, and screenshots along with the text. This runs in the background and doesn't block you, so you can keep working while it finishes. Each PDF is parsed into a format agents can use, and the parsed copy is updated whenever a new version of the file is uploaded.
Searching across knowledge files still matches only the extracted text. An agent sees what a diagram shows once it opens the file, but can't find the file by searching for that content.
What is maximum file size?
Each file can be up to 10 MB. A larger file is rejected by the upload, so split it or reduce its size before uploading.
What happens if I upload file with duplicate name?
The upload is blocked, and the existing file is retained. The upload panel shows the date the original file was uploaded.
Who can upload or edit knowledge files?
Only Admins and API tokens can create knowledge folders, upload files, or replace existing files. Members and Guests can view and preview knowledge content but can't contribute files.
If your organization needs data stewards or team leads to upload files, a tenant admin can extend permissions by creating custom AuthPolicies for a dedicated persona. See Access control for details.
Can I restrict access to specific folders?
Not currently. Access control uses entity-type wildcards, so permissions apply to all knowledge folders and files on the tenant. A user who can see knowledge assets sees all of them. Folder-level granularity isn't supported yet.
Can I access knowledge files programmatically?
Yes. The Wisdom API supports fetching raw file content:
GET /api/service/knowledge/files/preview?key={filePath}&name={filename}
Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_TOKEN>
Replace {filePath}, {filename}, and <YOUR_TOKEN> with the relevant values for your tenant.
Can I preview knowledge files without downloading them?
Yes. Open the file's profile page in the catalog to preview its contents.
Need help
If you have questions about knowledge folders and files that aren't covered in this FAQ, contact Atlan support by submitting a support request.
See also
- Create knowledge folder and upload files: Step-by-step instructions for uploading documents
- Knowledge folders and files: What knowledge folders and files are as catalog assets