> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.pentaho.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.pentaho.com/pdia-data-integration/9.3-data-integration/pdi-transformation-steps-reference-overview/table-input/general.md).

# General

![Table input step](/files/vqmYZ6lMn80ONJAzBKYa)

The following fields are general to this transformation step:

| Field          | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Step name**  | Specify the unique name of the Table Input step on the canvas. You can customize the name or leave it as the default.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Connection** | <p>Use the list to select the name of an existing database connection. Select the connection according to the database you are accessing.- If you are using the following database types with Spark on AEL, select one of the following:<br>- <strong>Cloudera Impala</strong>: Select if you are using an Impala database.<br>- <strong>Hadoop Hive 2/3</strong>: Select if you are using small unmanaged tables in Hive on a secure HDP cluster, or if you are using Hive tables on an Amazon EMR cluster.<br>- <strong>Hive Warehouse Connector</strong>: Select if you are using large unmanaged tables in Hive, or if you are using managed Hive tables on a secure HDP cluster.</p><ul><li>For all others, select the connection according to the relational database type.</li></ul><p>If you do not have an existing connection, click <strong>New</strong> or <strong>Wizard</strong>. If you need to modify an existing connection, click <strong>Edit</strong>.</p> |


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.pentaho.com/pdia-data-integration/9.3-data-integration/pdi-transformation-steps-reference-overview/table-input/general.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.