---
title: "SFTP Server"
slug: "sftp-server"
description: "Export data from any source to SFTP server as CSV, JSON, JSONL, or Parquet files with Dataddo. No coding required."
tags: ["Data warehouse", "Data destination", "How-to guide"]
updated: 2026-07-26T12:59:12Z
published: 2026-07-26T12:59:12Z
canonical: "docs.dataddo.com/sftp-server"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.dataddo.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# SFTP Server

SFTP, or Secure File Transfer Protocol, is a network protocol used for securely transferring files between a client and a server. An SFTP server is a server that supports this protocol, enabling secure and encrypted file transfers over a network, making it a safer and more protected alternative to traditional FTP for data exchange.

## Authorize Connection to SFTP server

Authorize the connection so Dataddo can write files to SFTP server:

| Field | Description |
| --- | --- |
| A name for this authorizer in Dataddo | A label so you can recognize the connection later. |
| Server IP or Hostname | Public IP or Hostname of your SFTP Server. |
| Username | Username for authentication. |
| Password | Password for authentication. |
| Port | Port to connect to SFTP. The default value is 22. |
| Timeout | Timeout Default: `90`. |
| Use Certificate | Use Certificate |
| Certificate | Certificate for certificate-based authentication. You can upload or generate certificate in Security settings. Shown when useCertificate is ``. |

Dataddo validates the connection when you save it.

## Create a SFTP server Destination

Go to Destinations, click Create Destination, and select SFTP server. Give the destination a name, choose the authorizer, then set:

| Field | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Path | Enter or select the directory where the data file will be created. Shown when oAuthId is ``. |

Click Save.

## Supported File Formats

Each flow run writes the data as a file in the format you pick.

| Format | Description |
| --- | --- |
| `csv` | SFTP server writes the data as CSV files. |
| `json` | SFTP server writes the data as JSON files. |
| `jsonl` | SFTP server writes the data as JSONL files. |
| `parquet` | SFTP server writes the data as PARQUET files. |

For CSV you can set the delimiter, header row, and date formatting. For Parquet, JSON, and JSONL you can set the timestamp unit.

## File Naming

You can also build a custom filename with these placeholders (see [Dynamic File Naming Patterns](/docs/dynamic-file-naming-patterns) for the full list):

- `{{objectLabel}}` and `{{objectId}}`: the flow name and id.
- `{{today}}` and `{{yesterday}}`: the run date.
- `{{dateRangeStart}}` and `{{dateRangeEnd}}`: the bounds of the flow's date range.
- Date-range expressions such as `{{1d1}}` (yesterday) or `{{90d1}}` (the last 90 days through yesterday).
- Add a date format after a `|`, for example `{{today|Ymd}}` gives `20201231` and `{{1d1|Y-m-d}}` gives `2020-12-31`.

## File Partitioning

File partitioning splits a large dataset into smaller files based on a criterion such as date, which improves how a data lake organizes and queries the data (see [Data Lake Ingestion](/docs/data-lake-ingestion)). In Dataddo you partition by putting date variables from File Naming into the file name, so each flow run writes its own dated file.

For example, `events_{{1d1|Y-m-d}}.parquet` writes one Parquet file per day, so a lake engine such as SFTP server can read the set of files as a date-partitioned dataset. Pick a file format like Parquet or CSV that your lake reads, and schedule the flow to match the partition period (for example daily for a daily date token).

## Write Modes

Each flow run writes a file at the resolved name. The default is `truncate_insert`: `insert` keeps writing new files, and `truncate_insert` replaces the file at the same name.

## How Data Is Delivered

Every run produces one file at the resolved name. A date-stamped name accumulates a new snapshot file per run, which is the pattern described in [Data Lake Ingestion](/docs/data-lake-ingestion).

## How to Create a Flow to SFTP server

1. Go to Flows and click Create Flow.
2. Add one or more sources.
3. Add SFTP server as the destination and pick the authorizer.
4. Choose the file format and the file name.
5. Set the schedule and click Save.

## Troubleshooting

### Cannot connect to SFTP server

Dataddo cannot reach SFTP server. Check the credentials, path, and permissions in the authorizer and destination, and make sure SFTP server is reachable by Dataddo.

### File is not created

The account used by Dataddo lacks write permission on the target path. Grant write access to the folder or bucket and restart the flow.

## Related Articles

- [Data Backfilling to Storages](https://docs.dataddo.com/docs/data-backfilling-to-storages)
- [Write Modes](https://docs.dataddo.com/docs/data-storages#write-modes)
- [Implementation of Batch Ingestion to Data Warehouses](https://docs.dataddo.com/docs/ingestion-to-data-warehouses)
- [Network Access Control List (ACL) Configuration](https://docs.dataddo.com/docs/network-acl)
- [SSH Tunnelling](https://docs.dataddo.com/docs/ssh-tunnelling)
- [Data Transformations](https://docs.dataddo.com/docs/data-transformations)
- [Data Quality Firewall](https://docs.dataddo.com/docs/data-quality-firewall)