After deciding where to import the data (company level or system level) and the import to use e.g. Exchange Rate Import, Employee Assignment Flexible Header, Generic Import, etc. creating a CSV (Comma Delimited) import file is the first step in the import process. There is only one exception which is Compensation Accumulator Import which uses an Excel spreadsheet.
File Format
An excel file can be saved as a .csv file by selecting File >> Save As option and changing the "Save As type field" to "CSV (Comma Delimited) (*.csv)". Importing an Excel file will cause the import to fail.
Data Rows and Columns
For Standard Imports (Fixed and Flexible Header Imports), thorough documentation detailing the file requirements (e.g. whether to include a header row, order of columns, etc.) and sample file imports are available in the Help Center.
Where Generic Imports have been built for client specific needs, a sample file with details instructions on how to populated the file will be provided by the Equus Client Solutions Manager. Generic Imports are extremely powerful so prior to using them (including Generic Imports templates that have been used before), always consult your Equus contact so that the import template can be reviewed and tested.
Tips on creating a successful import file
Import files with the file type CSV (Comma Delimited) (*.csv). One exception is the "Complex" Compensation Accumulator Import which uses an Excel spreadsheet.
Do not have blank lines/rows - Check by using "View the Flat File Date" on the Import Process Popup screen
Check the following where a Column Definition spreadsheet e.g. Employee Assignment Flexible Header Column Definition exists
Format /Data type - do not try to insert a date in a text field or a text in a date field, etc.
Length - keep within the field's maximum length to avoid field truncation
Any date values should be expressed in a sortable date format or in US standard month-day-year format. This includes “YYYY-MM-DD”, “YYYY/MM/DD” and “MM/DD/YYYY”
Country - imported data cannot use country names (France). The country's 3 letter ISO Code (FRA) must match the values in the Equus Platform. Codes can be validated by reviewing the Countries screen at the system level.
Currency - imported data cannot use legacy ISO codes (PLZ). The country's 3 letter ISO currency code (PLN) must match the values in the Equus Platform. Codes can be validated by reviewing the Countries screen at the system level.
Look up values - imported data must match what is held in the Equus Platform e.g. "Mr" would generate an error as "Mr." is one of the Look up values for the Title field.
Special characters e.g. à, á, â, ã, ä - convert file to UTF-8 to preserve special characters.