How to Connect 3rd Party Integrations as Blocks

1 min read

In Ex.Brain, integrations allow you to connect external platforms (like QuickBooks, Toast, Google Calendar, or Shopify) and convert their live or historical data into usable Blocks. These Blocks work just like uploaded files: they can be categorized, permissioned, and queried through Ex.Brain.

By connecting your tools, you unlock AI access to real-time operational, financial, HR, and sales data—automatically organized and searchable.

Step-by-Step: Connecting an Integration #

Step 1 – Open the Integration Interface #

  1. Go to the Block Management section in the left sidebar
  2. Click on the Blocks tab (default tab)
  3. Locate the “Integrations” section below the Upload File area
  4. Browse the list of available platforms

Step 2 – Choose an Active Integration #

  • Platforms shown in lighter background colors are active integrations you can connect right away
  • Click on the card for a service like QuickBooks or Google Drive
  • A setup popup will appear

Common fields include: #

Field
Description

OAuth Login

Most integrations use secure login (OAuth). You’ll log in with your platform credentials.

API Key (if applicable)

Some services require you to paste an API key instead.

Workspace Assignment

Choose which Workspace this integration’s data should belong to.

Category Assignment

Pick or create a Block Category (e.g. “Finance Reports”) for organizing imported data.

After you complete setup:

  • Ex.Brain pulls in relevant data as one or more Blocks
  • These Blocks are automatically updated or synced depending on the integration type

Step 3 – Vote on Future Integrations #

You’ll also see a set of grayed-out cards with darker backgrounds. These represent integrations that aren’t yet live—but are under consideration.

  • Click the Vote button to tell us what to prioritize
  • The more users vote, the sooner we’ll build it

Where Do Imported Blocks Go? #

  • Once connected, each integration creates one or more Blocks
  • You’ll find them listed in the Block Inventory
  • These can be filtered by category, brand, or location like any uploaded file
  • You can ask Ex.Brain: “What are this month’s revenue trends in QuickBooks?”

Why Integration Blocks Matter #

  • They connect your real-world operations to your AI assistant
  • You don’t have to manually upload exports every day
  • You gain live insights into performance, finance, and workflows

Integrations allow your AI to grow smarter every hour without manual input.

Best Practices #

  • Always assign integrations to the right workspace and category
  • Use descriptive names like “QuickBooks – Finance” or “Toast Sales Feed”
  • Test by asking Ex.Brain simple questions about imported data to confirm it’s working

Example: “How much revenue did we earn last month according to QuickBooks?”

Common Questions #

Q: Can I disconnect an integration later?

Yes. Go to Settings → Integrations and remove it.

Q: Can I change which Workspace the integration data goes to?

Yes, edit the Block or category after it’s created.

Q: Will Ex.Brain update the data automatically?

Yes. Depending on the provider, updates are scheduled daily or hourly.

Next Step

Now that your external data is flowing into Ex.Brain, let’s learn how to view, search, and manage Blocks inside the Block Inventory.

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