# Scan Operation

Source: https://userguide.qualytics.io/operations/scan/getting-started/

*Requires the Data Observability (DO) module.*

This applies to manual, scheduled, and Flow-triggered scans. Existing checks, including integrity checks created earlier, can run while DO is enabled.

The Scan Operation runs a datastore's data quality checks against its containers (tables, views, or file patterns) and writes every identified anomaly to the linked Enrichment Destination. Defaults for source examples and record-anomaly limits come from the platform's [Scan defaults](https://userguide.qualytics.io/settings/platform-defaults/how-tos/configure-scan-defaults/) and can be overridden in the scan form.

> **Note**
>
> On the datastore overview, the **Get started in three steps** widget keeps **Scan** disabled until the **Sync** and **Profile** operations have completed. Other entry points, such as the toolbar **Run** menu and the API, can start a scan at any time. A scan only applies active quality checks that already exist, so before your first scan, consider running a Profile with AI Effort enabled and activating any generated checks that remain in Draft.

A scan identifies two kinds of anomaly:

- **Record Anomalies:** A single record (row) flagged as anomalous, with details on why. The simplest example is a row missing an expected value for a field.
- **Shape Anomalies:** Structural issues at the column or schema level, such as missing fields or inconsistent patterns across the dataset.

Within the wizard you can:

- Choose between an incremental load and a full load.
- Automatically resolve previously open anomalies that no longer flag on a Full scan.
- Limit the number of records scanned.
- Pick which tables or file patterns to include.
- Schedule the scan to run later.

To open the Scan Operation modal, navigate to a source datastore from the side menu, click the **Run** dropdown in the top-right corner of the datastore page, and select **Scan**. The modal opens at Step 1, **Select Tables** on a database datastore or **Select File Patterns** on a file-based one, and the stepper at the top shows the full configuration flow.

![Scan Operation modal overview](https://userguide.qualytics.io/assets/operations/scan/getting-started/getting-started-1.png)

> **Tip: Show me how**
>
> The app can walk you through this. Click **Show me how**  in the Scan dialog's header, or press `H` while it is open, and the **Run a Scan** walkthrough highlights each step while you fill in the real form. See [The How-tos Scope](https://userguide.qualytics.io/using-the-platform/web-app/global-search/command-palette/#the-how-tos-scope) for every way to start one.

## Deep Dive

- **Read Strategies**

  Incremental vs Full and Auto-Resolve behavior.

  [Read Strategies](https://userguide.qualytics.io/operations/scan/deep-dive/read-strategies/)
- **Scan Settings**

  Conceptual reference for every setting in the scan form.

  [Scan Settings](https://userguide.qualytics.io/operations/scan/deep-dive/scan-settings/)
- **Scan Outcomes**

  How a Scan ends in Success, Failure, or Aborted, what "success with warnings" means, and which fields to read in automation.

  [Scan Outcomes](https://userguide.qualytics.io/operations/scan/deep-dive/scan-outcomes/)
- **Permissions**

  Who can run, schedule, and configure scans.

  [Permissions](https://userguide.qualytics.io/operations/scan/deep-dive/permissions/)

## How-tos

The numbered cards walk through each step of the wizard. The two unnumbered cards cover post-scan analysis and the API helper for runtime variables.

- **Select Tables / File Patterns**

  Choose the containers to scan: All, Specific, or by Tag.

  [Select Tables](https://userguide.qualytics.io/operations/scan/how-tos/select-tables/)
- **Select Check Categories**

  Choose Metadata, Data Integrity, or both.

  [Select Check Categories](https://userguide.qualytics.io/operations/scan/how-tos/select-check-categories/)
- **Read Settings**

  Pick Incremental or Full, set an optional starting threshold, and the record limit.

  [Read Settings](https://userguide.qualytics.io/operations/scan/how-tos/read-settings/)
- **Scan Settings**

  Anomaly Options (including **Auto Resolve Anomalies**, shown only when the read strategy is **Full**), record-anomaly limits, and source examples.

  [Scan Settings](https://userguide.qualytics.io/operations/scan/how-tos/scan-settings/)
- **Schedule Options**

  Set up a recurring run, or skip this step and use **Run Now**.

  [Schedule Options](https://userguide.qualytics.io/operations/scan/how-tos/schedule-options/)
- **Follow the Run**

  Follow the Scan Run on the Activity tab, from the row anatomy to its states, actions, and permissions.

  [Runs](https://userguide.qualytics.io/operations/runs/getting-started/)
- **Use Runtime Variables**

  Supply check variable values per scan, per schedule, or as container defaults.

  [Use Runtime Variables](https://userguide.qualytics.io/operations/scan/how-tos/use-runtime-variables/)

## Reference

- **Troubleshooting**

  Resolution steps for known errors.

  [Troubleshooting](https://userguide.qualytics.io/operations/scan/troubleshooting/)
- **API**

  Payload examples for run, schedule, and retrieve.

  [API](https://userguide.qualytics.io/operations/scan/api/)
- **FAQ**

  Common questions.

  [FAQ](https://userguide.qualytics.io/operations/scan/faq/)

*Last updated: October 21, 2026.*