> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.whalesync.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.whalesync.com/connectors/copper/authorize-copper.md).

# Authorize Copper

Create a Copper API key to connect your Copper account to Whalesync, and what to do about each Copper connection error.

Whalesync connects to Copper with an API key and the email of the Copper user the key belongs to. A connection reaches one Copper account, and that account is the base the connection syncs.

## Create an API key

1. In Copper, open **Settings**, then **Integrations**, then **API Keys**, and click **Generate API Key**. Only Copper Admins can generate API keys. Copper's own guide is [here](https://support.copper.com/en/articles/8823347-generating-an-api-key).
2. Copy the key.
3. In Whalesync, choose Copper, paste the key into **Copper API key**, enter the email of the Copper user who generated the key into **Copper account email**, and click **Authorize**.
4. Pick the account to sync. A connection reaches one account, so there is one to pick.

A Copper API key carries the access of the Copper user who generated it. It stops working the moment it is deleted in Copper.

To sync a different Copper account, create a second connection with a key from that account.

## Errors

| Message | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| Copper rejected the credentials. Check the API key and account email. | The key was copied wrong or deleted in Copper, or the email is not the email of the user who generated the key. Enter both again, or generate a new key and reconnect. |
| Copper Leads aren't enabled on your account. | Turn on Leads in Copper's Settings, then press **Retry Sync**. Only the Leads table is affected. |
| Copper rejected the update: a linked record (such as the assignee or primary contact) does not exist. | The linked user or person was deleted or does not exist in Copper. Point the field at an existing record. |
| A value that is not one of a Dropdown or Multi-Select field's options. The message lists the valid options. | Use one of the listed option names, or add the option in Copper and refresh the schema in Whalesync. |
| Copper: followed by Copper's own message | Copper refused the record and gave a reason, usually naming the field. Check the record in your other app. |

Whalesync retries automatically when Copper is rate limiting it or has a temporary error. There is nothing to do.