# Step 6: (Optional) Associate prior datasets with new projects
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Amazon Rekognition Custom Labels now manages datasets with projects. Earlier (prior) datasets that you created are read-only and must be associated with a project before you can use them. When you open the details page for a project with the console, we automatically associate the datasets that trained the latest version of the project's model with the project. Automatic association of a dataset with a project doesn't happen if you are using the AWS SDK.

Unassociated prior datasets have never been used to train a model or, were used to train a previous version of a model. The Prior datasets page shows all of your associated and unassociated datasets.

To use an unassociated prior dataset, you create a new project on the Prior datasets page. The dataset becomes the training dataset for the new project. You can also create a project for an already associated dataset as prior datasets can have multiple associations. 

**To associate a prior dataset to a new project**

1. Open the Amazon Rekognition console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/rekognition/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/rekognition/).

1. In the left pane, choose Use **Custom Labels**. The Amazon Rekognition Custom Labels landing page is shown. 

1. In the left navigation pane, choose **Prior datasets**.

1. In the datasets view, choose the prior dataset that you want to associate with a project.

1. Choose **Create project with dataset**.

1. On the **Create project** page, enter a name for your new project in **Project name**.

1. Choose **Create project** to create the project. The project might take a while to create.

1. Use the project. For more information, see [Understanding Amazon Rekognition Custom Labels](understanding-custom-labels.md). 

## Using a prior dataset as a test dataset
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You can use a prior dataset as the test dataset for an existing project by first associating the prior dataset with a new project. You then copy the training dataset of the new project to the test dataset of the existing project.

**To use a prior dataset as a test dataset**

1. Follow the instructions at [Step 6: (Optional) Associate prior datasets with new projects](#su-associate-prior-dataset) to associate the prior dataset with a new project. 

1. Create the test dataset in the existing project by using copying the training dataset from the new project. For more information, see [Copying content from an existing dataset](md-create-dataset-existing-dataset.md).

1. Follow the instructions at [Deleting an Amazon Rekognition Custom Labels project (Console)](mp-delete-project.md#mp-delete-project-console) to delete the new project. 

Alternatively, you can create the test dataset by using the manifest file for prior dataset. For more information, see [Creating a manifest file](md-create-manifest-file.md).