Smart Connector: Manual File Upload Best Practices

What is a Smart Connector Manual File Upload?

When setting up a Smart Connector, one of the ways you can bring data into TapClicks is by uploading a file manually.  A common example of this is by using a CSV file. To accomplish this, you must ensure that the data file you upload is configured properly to be readable by the TapClicks system. Accordingly, we have assembled a list of best practices for formatting, structuring and naming files you manually upload to TapClicks.

Manual File Upload Best Practices

File format

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

File size

The upper limit is 10 MB. In the case of .csv files, we can support files that are even larger than that. There is no lower limit.

File structure

We recommend that your sample file has at least two rows in it, one for the column headers and one as a sample of what might be contained in those rows. The reason for the second row is that the system will make suggestions for the field type based on what it sees in that row. If it see number characters, it will suggest a number field. If it sees a dollar sign, it will suggest currency. If it sees a date-type format, it will suggest a date.

If you don't upload a file with at least two rows, the system won’t give you suggestions for your field type.  You will have to set those yourself in the configuration. 

File contents

The following best practices apply to file contents:

• We do not support Excel files with formulas
• Don't use files that have images in them
• If the header or footer rows contain more than the column titles, included in the set up a skip protocol
• Each row should be a new date (i.e., one day per row)
• The file needs to have some sort of name/ID field to map a client
• The file must not contain more than one worksheet/tab

File naming

The best way to name a file is to use the name of the Smart Connector in the file name. The filename must have a date at the end as this is how the system recognizes new files. For example: testimportwizard_08-01-2016. 

Date format

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 as well. 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.