Understanding Select Sample Input File

Select file requirements or the structure of the data you are loading. If you are performing a Copy Paste or Web Services load, this page allows you to specify parameters for incoming data. Different fields are available based on the Load Type selected on the New Data Load Rule page.

Let's say you loaded data using Data Load Rules with a File load type. Then, you want to add extra data columns, which you want reflected in the load. To make this modification and load data, change the number of columns and browse to the sample input file to change the structure. Lastly, map the new columns on the Define Data Mappings page before you perform the load.

If you are having any difficulties loading the sample data file, make sure the source file does not contain formulas linked to other files on your computer. Files with formula references are not supported.

The format of your data spreadsheet (i.e. Excel) must match the Select Sample Input file specifications.

File Requirements - These fields are available if you selected a File Load Type

• File Type – Select the type of file you want to load; Excel (xls), text (txt) or csv (comma delimited value).
• Column delimiter- Available if you select to load from a txt or csv file. A column delimiter separates each column with a tab, semicolon, or comma. xls files already contain column separators and therefore this option is not available.
• Row Identifier- Specify the character that separates rows in the Data Load file. The row delimiter is important because the system needs to know when a row begins and ends. The identifier marks the beginning/ending of rows in your txt and csv files.
• Text Qualifier - Specify the character you want the system to use to enclose values in the file. This function is important because it separates the field data from the delimiter. You may select to separate the two using single quotes or double quotes. If you choose none, there will be no separator to distinguish between the delimiter and field data.

Header

• Row Containing Header- Enter the number of the row that contains the header information. A header contains the heading names for a column.
• Number of Rows to Skip- Enter the number of rows in your spreadsheet to skip. For example, if your spreadsheet has 20 rows, but the first 3 rows contain data that is not important you can enter 3 in this field. The system will skip the first 3 rows during the data load process.
• Number of Source Fields - Enter a number based on the number of columns you plan to select to copy from your spreadsheet, txt file, or csv file. For example, if your source file contains 10 columns, enter 10 here. For Copy Paste loads, the graph automatically reflects the number you enter.

Number Format

Different countries use different ways to represent numbers. For example, 6 euros and 28 cents needs to be loaded as 6,28 whereas 6 dollars and 28 cents should load as 6.28. The Thousand and Decimal Separators allow you to specify the format in which you want to load your numerical data.

• Thousand Separator - Select a period or comma to separate thousands. In general, non-USD based companies will set the thousand separator to period and the decimal separator to comma.
• Decimal Separator - Select a period or comma to separate decimals. In general, USD based companies will set the thousand separator to comma and the decimal separator to period. This is the default setting.

Date Format

Select the format for the date to appear in the resulting load. Different countries use different ways of representing a day within a calendar year. For example, in Hungary the date is represented as Year/Month/Day. In the U.S., several organizations represent a date by

Month/Day/Year. Essentially, there are several ways in which you may choose to represent a date to best coincide with your organization's current practices.

File Information - Available for File Load Types

Sample Data File - Click Browse to search for the sample data file.

Data Load

If you select to Copy - Paste as Load Type, a Data Load grid will appear. Copy data from your file and paste it into the provided grid. Paste data into the grid by selecting the whole grid (click on the cell in the upper left-hand corner).