Kuali Data Types Compared

Our platform supports different types of data, depending on how you want to use, manage, and share it across apps. Whether you're building a form, setting up workflows, or connecting different tools together, choosing the right data type helps keep everything running smoothly.

• Product Data Sets
• General App Data
• Shared Data (Academic Ops)/Shared Configuration (Research)
• Comparison Chart

Types of Data

1. Product Data Sets

Think of this as the core stuff that makes your product work. These are structured data sets that live front and center in your product, typically with workflows attached.

Great for:

• Documents you want to manage with approvals

Examples:

• Projects
• Applications
• Requests

Features:

• Supports workflows
• Customizable forms
• You can purchase and add new ones
• Shared across your product
• Fine-tuned permissions

2. General App Data

This is behind-the-scenes helper data. These are simple lists you can reuse across forms inside one product. No workflows here. 

Great for:

• Admin managed, supporting data that doesn't require a workflow and is shared across multiple parts of the product.

Examples:

• Status options
• Categories
• Labels

Features:

• No workflows
• Customizable
• Add more with a quick request
• Used within the same product
• Admins manage it

3. Shared Data (Academic Ops)/Shared Configuration (Research)

This data works across multiple products. It’s centrally managed, often has a workflow, and is great for information that needs to stay consistent everywhere.

Great for:

• Standard lists used across products or teams

Examples:

• Global data
• Subject codes
• Buildings

Features:

• Supports workflows
• Customizable forms
• Shared across multiple products
• Fine-tuned permissions

Comparison Chart

Feature	Data Set	General App Data	Shared Data/Shared    Configuration
Best For	Primary Forms	Lists and options within a product	Lists and options across products
Permissions	Yes	Admin-only	Yes
Conditional Permissions	Yes	No	Yes
Shareable	Within a product and with other products/apps	Within product-only	Across products
Add New	For Purchase	Request	For Purchase
Customizable	Yes	Yes	Yes
Workflow	Yes	No	Yes