> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-6/linking-data-to-after-effects-designs.md).

# Link data to After Effects designs

Captivate gives you the ability to link data to your After Effects designs with the same process as your Designer graphics. If you would like more specific detail on each Data Controller please see the Connect Data to Graphic Layers section. See below for a general workflow to connect a data source.

This feature is only available in Captivate Broadcast.

## Linking an external data source

You may link any of Captivate’s Data Controllers to your After Effects designs. For a list of the types of variables that are supported in `.aep` and `.mogrt` layers, please refer to [Preparing Your After Effects Designs for Import](/design-and-customize-graphics/chapter-index-6/preparing-your-after-effects-designs-for-import.md).

1. Import your After Effects design into Captivate.
2. Select a Data Controller under the Data Controller column in your Graphic Layers panel.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-cdfa1938083c139089a68d63d13cd3ad2c423271%2Fimage_2282.png?alt=media" alt="Linking data new input"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
3. When Data Controllers are added to a layer, the Data Controller will open in its own tab in the Layer Properties panel and data fields become available for linking. You now have the option to view data in a single column:

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0524ba2dea1e0871052361dcd92ad45535c13971%2Fimage_1763.png?alt=media" alt="Single column view"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

   or a single row:

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-4cdb5f5f5a9ffe96b7e81f36d03cedf9dbd87778%2Fimage_1777.png?alt=media" alt="Single row view"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
4. Select **Link Data** in the Preview panel to display the various data fields from the Data Controller.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-406dde7df7a3407f3838beb18b6e23b516f8c26f%2Fimage_1390.png?alt=media" alt="Drag and drop"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
5. Select a data field from the list and drag it to a design element in the preview area.

   Or: right-click the data field from the list and select a named design variable.

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://352477438-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FFCWMxradHcVjURnrXSYX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-b771ba562ac5790294e36a0d14fa224f0aa95859%2Fimage_960.jpg?alt=media" alt="Linking data"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

   **📌 NOTE**\
   If your graphic has nested comps, the bounding boxes for the various properties in the graphic may not be drawn correctly. In this event, we recommend using the right-click workflow.
6. After changes are rendered and the Preview button is available, test to ensure the graphics are connected correctly.

Your graphic will automatically render and display the newly connected data. You may wish to use our pre-cache workflow to limit on-air rendering. For more information, see [Pre-cache graphics before a show](/control-your-show/chapter-index/pre-cache-graphics-before-a-show.md).

**💡 TIP**\
Double-clicking an object in the Preview panel will reset all scale and position values to their defaults.


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