Data Files Best Practices

The most common way to upload 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. Below are best practices for formatting, structuring, and naming files for successful uploads to TapClicks.

Manual File Upload Best Practices

File format

TapClicks supports the following file formats: .csv, .tsv, .xlsx, .ods, .zip, .json, and .gz.

File size

Smart Connectors are optimized to process dataset with fewer than 100,000 rows per day.

File contents

The following best practices apply to file contents:

• Your file must include at least three columns/headers
• Ensure that column headers are in the first row of the file. The system automatically detects the first row with at least three columns. If there are rows above the intended dataset, they may be incorrectly parsed, leading to errors.
  
• 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 include a Date column unless you intend to use the 'Data Does Not Contain Dates' feature.
• Your file must include a column for assigning data to a client (e.g., account, advertiser, or campaign) unless you use the 'Assign SC to a Single Client' feature.
• Column headers cannot have the same name. Each column header must be unique.
• Each row must contain data in all required columns, especially if the column is used as the 'Date Field,' 'Assignment Field,' or 'Unique Field'.

File naming

There are no specific file naming requirements for manual uploads or emailed files. Similarly, no naming convention is needed if you use a hosted file delivery method 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 the system uses it to identify new files. For example: testimportwizard_08-23-2023. Multiple date formats are supported.

Date formats

The recommended date format for files is the ISO standard: YYYY-MM-DD. However, the system will accept other formats including all ISO 8601 date formats. Below is the listing of acceptable date formats for April 5th, 2016. In general, formats where the month precedes the day or includes a written month name are accepted.