Data Files Best Practices

The most common way of getting data into the TapClicks system with a Smart Connector is by manually uploading or via a hosted file service (e.g., Google Drive, FTP, Dropbox). To accomplish this, you must ensure that the data file you upload is appropriately configured to be readable by the TapClicks system. Accordingly, we have assembled a list of best practices for formatting, structuring, and naming files you upload to TapClicks.

Manual File Upload Best Practices

File format

You can only upload the following file formats: .csv, .tsv, .xlsx, .ods, .zip, .json, and .gz.

File size

Smart Connectors are optimized to process volumes of data of less than 100,000 rows per day.

File contents

The following best practices apply to file contents:

• Your file must contain at least three columns/headers
• Refrain from using files in which the column headers are not on the top row. The system automatically detects the first row with at least three columns. If there are data above the data you intend on using, it may be parsed and could cause an error.
• The system automatically stops reading the file after encountering a row with less than 3 columns of data. If your file contains footer rows (i.e. a total row or other unrelated data), there is an option to configure the Smart Connector to skip footer rows (see setup guides).
• Your file must contain a Date column unless you indent on using the “Data does not contain Dates” feature.
• Your file must contain a column that will be used to assign the data to a client (i.e., account, advertiser, campaign) unless you intend on using the “Assign SC to a Single Client” feature.
• Column headers cannot have the same name. Each column header must be unique.
• All cells on each row must contain data. This is especially true if you intend on using the corresponding column as the “Date Field”, “Assignment Field” or “Unique Field”.

NOTE: These best practices apply to Google Sheets as well.

File naming

There are no file naming conventions if you manually upload or email your file. Likewise, if you use any of the hosted file delivery types and select “Last Modified” from the “Sort by” dropdown. If you select “Date” from the sort by dropdown, the filename must include a date, as this is how the system recognizes new files. For example: testimportwizard_08-23-2023. You can choose from a number of date formats.

Date formats

The best practice for the date format within your file is the ISO Standard of YYYY-MM-DD.  However, the system will accept other formats. Overall we accept all ISO 8601 date formats. Below is the listing of acceptable date formats for April 5th, 2016. As a general rule, you will always be okay if the month number precedes the day number or if you use letters to describe the month.