A Simple Import Process reads data from a file and writes it directly to one or more objects in the database. No transformation logic is applied — the file must already be structured to exactly match the target object's attribute definition.
Use a Simple Import when the source data is already in the correct format. If the file layout does not match the object, or if any transformation is needed before writing to the database, use an Import-Merge Process instead. See Create an Import-Merge Process.
Before you begin
Check the target object before preparing the import file. You need to know the exact attribute names, order, and data types.
Open the Configuration application and navigate to Objects \> Objects.
Select the target object and review its attributes in the lower panel.
Note the attribute names, order, and types.
Repeat for each object that will receive imported data. If a suitable object does not exist, create it first.
Prepare the import file
The import file must match the target object specification exactly.
Each table of data maps to one object.
The columns must match the attribute order defined in the object.
The data types must match — numbers as numbers, dates as dates, text as text.
Dates must use the format
dd/mmm/yyyy.Decimal precision in Excel determines the precision stored in the database.
Each row represents one record. Blank rows are ignored.
For each data table in the file, define a named range covering the full rectangle of rows and columns to be imported. The named range is what the Process Output references — it must cover exactly the data you want to write, no more.
Create the Import Process
Open the Configuration application and navigate to Process Configuration \> Processes.
Click New.
Enter a Process Name and Description.
Leave the Template/Process Logic field blank — Simple Imports do not use a Process Logic workbook.
Set Process Type to Import.
Leave Spreadsheet Result Location and Spreadsheet Parameter Location blank.
Select the Application.
Set the Logging Level.
Enter an Audit Comment and click Save and Refresh.
Create the File Process Parameter
The import file is supplied by the user at runtime via a File-type parameter.
In the Process Parameter section, click Edit.
Add one record.
Set Name to something clear, such as
Import File.Set Type to File.
Set Order to
1.Enter an Audit Comment and click Save and Refresh.
Create Process Outputs
Create one Process Output for each object that will receive data.
In the Process Output section, click Edit.
Add one record per target object.
For each record:
Location — the named range in the import file containing the data for this object.
Object Specification — the target object.
Output Order — if one object references another, write the referenced object first with a lower order number.
Enter an Audit Comment and click Save and Refresh.
Run the Process
Navigate to the application containing the Process, open the Process Execution screen, and click Run. The platform prompts the user to upload the file. It reads the configured named ranges, maps the data directly to the target objects, and writes the records to the database.
If the file structure and object definitions match correctly, the import completes successfully. If there are column mismatches or format errors, the Process will fail or raise warning notifications. Review the Calculation Log for details. See Process History and Calculation Logs.