# Starting a Project

Metaforms lets you build Data Processing projects using either freshly uploaded datasets or by directly connecting to your existing survey platforms like **Decipher**. All it takes is a one-time API key configuration to link your account.

When starting a DP project, you can:

* **Create a new project** by uploading a `.SAV` file (commonly exported from survey platforms like Decipher or SPSS), or
* **Use an existing Decipher project** to auto-fetch the latest survey data and metadata (like variable labels and structure) into MetaForms.


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# 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.metaforms.ai/data-processing/starting-a-project.md?ask=<question>
```

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.
