# Resources ### **What are Resources?** Resources are a very important piece of the \ platform and are used to define data objects within a project. These Resources can be referenced within other forms or within your application to create complex nested resource relationships. Once a resource has been created, it can then be used as a RESTful database within your application where new entities can be created, read, deleted, and queried like you would any other database collection. ### **Why should I use Resources?** Resource objects not only define the API and back-end data model but also the front-end UI, meaning they can also be utilized as a normal form. These Resource data models can be used within other forms making it simple to create a data collection and reference that data in your form. Use a Resource to reference User credentials within your application for authentication, collection of reference data to utilize in other forms or an application, dynamic select filtering, etc. ### **How do I use Resources?** Resources are created the same way as forms by using the Drag and Drop form builder. Once a Resource Form is in place, define the Data Object by making submissions against the Resource.

Resource created for Regional Manager database and reference point

New entities can be created, read, deleted, and queried like you would any other database collection.

Create your data object by making submissions against the Resource

After data has been submitted, the Resource will now be established and ready to be utilized as a RESTful database within your application or other forms.

Using a Select Resource field is one way you can reference the Resource data object

​[**Click here for an in-depth explanation of how Resources and Forms work**](https://help.form.io/intro/overview#forms-and-resources)​​ ### **Best Practices & FAQ** * Create a Resource anytime a Data Object reference is needed for your applications or forms. * Use the Data Import feature to easily establish a Resource data object * Setup [**Cascading Select Dropdowns**](https://help.form.io/tutorials/cascading-select-dropdowns) using Resources and Select Resource fields * Reference User Resource data for [**User Authentication**](https://help.form.io/userguide/user-authentication)**​** * Use [**Select Resource fields**](https://help.form.io/userguide/forms/form-components#select) to reference Resource field data on your forms * Use the Data Source component to pull in large amounts of data from your Resource to fields on your Form. * Resources can also be used to create and house pre-defined fields called [**Existing Resource Fields**](https://help.form.io/userguide/forms/existing-resource-fields) --- # Agent Instructions: 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://help.form.io/userguide/resources.md?ask= ``` 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.