# Create a data container

**Every object (file/set of files) in the platform is preserved in a Data Container.** Data Containers define the policies, functions, permissions and the underlying storage policy for the files they contain, and have many similarities with Amazon S3 buckets or Azure containers, as they can hold files, folders, metadata, etc.

{% hint style="info" %}
To know more about how you can organize your content, see [Organize your content](../concepts/organize-your-content)
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
To see other available options when using containers, see [Working with data containers](create-a-data-container).
{% endhint %}

It is possible to create a data container using the Go Management Interface or using the API:

## Create a data container using the Management Interface

1. Sign in to the platform's Management Interface
2. Select **Containers**

![](https://4041101886-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MgzI4gmAMX6UHf919le%2Fsync%2Fce098ce9aa99f3dc24723f9fa4767328826be0a3.png?generation=1628855345110490\&alt=media)

1. Select **New Container:** The New Container page opens.
2. In the **Container name**, enter a descriptive name for the content you plan to have in your container (like "Albert Einstein Papers"). This name allows you and other users to easily locate the container when using the Go Management Interface.

You can leave any other field as default and select **Create.** Go will now open the Data Container details page. If you plan to work with your Data Container using any of the file transfer methods Go supports or with the Go API, it is important that you remember the Data Container identifier, that is shown next to the Container name.

![](https://4041101886-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MgzI4gmAMX6UHf919le%2Fsync%2F041ee0a51482747bd03325a599ad9c5773f42a9e.png?generation=1628855346156593\&alt=media)

## Create a data container using the **API**

{% hint style="info" %}
API examples here are just illustrative. Check the [API Documentation](../developers-guide/using-the-api) for additional information and all available methods.
{% endhint %}

1. Sign in to the platform's Management Interface
2. Obtain your API key by selecting your name and then **Access Methods:**

![](https://4041101886-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MgzI4gmAMX6UHf919le%2Fsync%2F85d1687c6f2a8a9519d57b7be5a4ae42e2e8031f.png?generation=1628855344190739\&alt=media)

1. Use this method:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Curl" %}
```
curl --request POST \
  --url "$your_platform_url/api/container" \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer $your_platform_api_key" \
  --form "name=My Container" \
  --form "description=Some fancy description" \
  --form container_metadata_id=1 \
  --form metadata_schema_id=1 \
  --form workflow_id=1 \
  --form archival_structure_id=1 \
  --form storage_id=1
```
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Use:

* **Url**: Your platform address
* **Header**: Your API Token (add Bearer prefix)
* **Name**: The name of the container that will be created
* **Description**: A short description (optional)
* **Container Metadata ID**: The ID of the metadata schema to use for the container's metadata
* **Metadata Schema ID**: The ID of the metadata schema to use for the container's files/objects
* **Workflow ID**: The ID of the workflow that you would like to associate with this container
* **Archival Structure ID**: The ID of the archival node to which you would like to add this container
* **Storage ID**: The ID of the storage that this container will use.
{% endhint %}

If you plan to work with your data container using any of the file transfer methods or with the API, it is important that you remember the data container identifier that is delivered in the response:

```javascript
{
  "success": true,
  "result": {
    "id": "6321", //<-- this will be your container's ID
    "parent": null,
    "name": "My Container",
    "description": "Some fancy description",
    "creator": "1",
    "checked_in_user": null,
    "date_create": "2021-03-01 09:42:10.123456",
    "date_update": "2021-03-01 09:42:00",
    "file_total": "0",
    "size_total": "0",
    "archived": "0",
    "storage_id": "1",
    "container_metadata_id": "1",
    "metadata_schema_id": "1",
    "workflow_id": "1",
    "workflow_step_id": "1",
    "archival_structure_id": "1",
    "submission_area_id": null,
    "permission_source": "INHERIT"
  }
}
```
