Running a Manual Import

Running a Manual Import

A manual import is a bulk import that you initiate yourself from the Import Module. It's the primary method for performing one-time data loads, testing a new configuration, or updating a specific subset of records.

There are two ways to start a manual import.

Method 1: From the Import Module (Standard Bulk Import)

This is the standard method for running a bulk import against an entire data file.

Step 1: Navigate to the Import Module

Go to the Import Module from the main system menu. A list of your import configurations will appear in the left-hand panel.

Step 2: Select and Configure the Run

  1. Click on the import configuration you wish to run from the list on the left. This will load the settings page for that configuration in the main area.
  2. Click the Run Now button, typically located in the top action bar of the settings page. The run options will now appear.
  3. The Person field will default to "All," meaning the import will run for all people in the file.
  4. The Alias Options field will show the Alias for the selected configuration.
  5. Locate the Import Options dropdown.
    1. If only one form uses the Alias, this field will be automatically populated and locked.
    2. If multiple forms use the Alias, select the specific form or forms you want this run to apply to.
  6. Select a Record Creation Mode. This determines how the system handles rows that don't match an existing record.
    1. Do not create new records
    2. Create missing records
    3. Always create new records
Alert
Warning: Use the "Always create new records" mode with extreme care. A misconfigured import can create a very large number of unwanted duplicate records.

Step 3: Execute the Import

Click the EXECUTE button to start the import process.

Method 2: From a Form's Listing Card (Targeted Import)

This method allows you to run an import for a specific, filtered group of records.
  1. Navigate to the Listings Card for a form that is configured for an import (e.g., the "Report Card" listing).
  2. Use the filters on the listing card to narrow the view to only the records you want to update.
  3. Click the ... menu and select the Bulk GDI option.
  4. This will take you to the manual import page with some key differences:
    1. The Person field will display the number of people in your filtered list.
    2. You will need to select the Alias for the import you want to run from the Alias Options dropdown.
    3. The Import Options field will be disabled because the import will only run against the form you started from.
This is a powerful way to perform a targeted data update on a small, specific subset of your records.

Monitoring the Results

After you click EXECUTE, you can monitor the import's progress and see the final results by navigating to the Import Dashboard. The run will appear in the Recent Activity section.

Next Steps

The best way to verify that your file was read correctly and to troubleshoot any issues is to examine the import cache.


    • Related Articles

    • Quick Start Guide: Your First Import

      This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough to help you complete your first basic import. We'll use a sample CSV file containing basic IEP information and a manual import to demonstrate the core workflow from start to finish. Before You Begin For ...

    • Preparing a CSV or TSV File for Import

      A correctly formatted CSV (Comma-Separated Values) or TSV (Tab-Separated Values) file is essential for a successful import. While these are standard formats, your file must adhere to specific rules to ensure data is processed accurately. Basic File ...

    • Best Practices and Common Pitfalls

      Building a successful import process involves more than just correct configuration; it also requires a solid workflow to prevent common errors. This guide outlines best practices for testing, data validation, and file management to help you create ...

    • Import Error Code Reference

      When an import fails, the system will log an error code to help you diagnose the problem. This guide explains what each error code means and provides step-by-step instructions on how to resolve the issue. E0001: Cannot Read File Problem The system ...

    • Understanding the Import Module Dashboard

      The Import Dashboard is your central hub for managing and monitoring all import activity. It gives you an at-a-glance overview of recent import runs, surfaces any warnings or errors, and provides access to detailed logs for troubleshooting. The ...