---
title: "Load facets into session"
slug: "load-facets-into-session"
abstract: "Learn how to patch in an additional facet key"
---
# Load facets into session

Facets are loaded into session by the `XConnectDataAdapterProvider` at the start of a session or when a contact identifies themselves as an existing contact.

> [!important]
> Facets that are loaded into session can be edited but are not saved to xConnect on session end. You must [use the xConnect Client API to update facets](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/104/sitecore-experience-platform/set-contact-facets-in-session.html "Set contact facets in session").

Configuration controls which facets are loaded into session. The default list of facet keys is defined in the `App_Config\Sitecore\Marketing.Tracking\Sitecore.Analytics.Tracking.config` file.

> [!important]
> Do not remove any of the pre-configured facet keys. Other components rely on these facets being loaded into session.

The following example demonstrates how to patch in an additional facet key:

```xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<configuration xmlns:patch="http://www.sitecore.net/xmlconfig/">
<sitecore>
    <dataAdapterManager defaultProvider="xconnect">
        <providers>
            <add name="xconnect" type="Sitecore.Analytics.XConnect.DataAccess.XConnectDataAdapterProvider, Sitecore.Analytics.XConnect">
                <facets hint="raw:AddFacet">
                    <facet facetKey="Addresses"/> <!-- NOTE: Taken from AddressList.DefaultFacetKey -->
                </facets>
            </add>
        </providers>
    </dataAdapterManager>
</sitecore>
</configuration>
```
> [!tip]
> All built-in facets define a `DefaultFacetKey` - inspect this property to get the default key for a particular facet. For example, the `AddressList` facet key is **Addresses**.