Building Data Import Files

Objectives

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

Build a data import file
Navigate the Data Dictionary

Preparing Data Import Files

Formatting Import Files

It is essential for administrators to plan their data management strategy for tracking changes to their respective master data CSV files. Customer Administrators should have a master copy that is maintained regularly by approved personnel and can be referenced easily.

When manually importing data, the system requires a specific format from the source Comma-Separated-Value (CSV) files.

If the worksheet name and column headers are not exact, the system cannot read the file. In addition to column headers, the expected value types for each column's cells must match what is specified within the Data Dictionary, or an error could occur.

The Enablement Workbook

The CSV data files uploaded in data imports can be either built manually, or customers can use a file covered during deployments, called the Enablement Workbook. This Microsoft Excel workbook includes pre-formatted sheets with corresponding names and column headers that can be used to manage the master data within its tabs. It is helpful because it is one Microsoft Excel .xls file that houses all of the data import CSV sheets used during a Strategic Sourcing deployment, and includes comments explaining the expected values for each column. The Regions sheet of the Enablement Workbook Microsoft Excel workbook is open with a comment expanded on a column header cell.

The Worksheet Descriptions sheet explains how administrators can use the file in correlation with data loads. The rows include the sheet names within the Enablement Workbook, and the columns include the relevant solutions, how to update them, the permissions required to make the changes, where the data is found within the site, and the description for each sheet. The Worksheet Descriptions sheet of the Enablement Workbook Microsoft Excel workbook is open.

Administrators can upload the Enablement Workbook during data imports, and the site will read the file as long as the sheet name and column headers are intact. The Enablement Workbook is also referred to as the RealmEnablementSheet.xls in the file upload description for some imports: Region Codes data import page is open with the name of the RealmEnablementSheet.xls file highlighted in the file upload area.

Summary

Import data files must be in a specific format with sheet names and column headers.
The Data Dictionary outlines the formats required for the data import files.
Customers may choose to manage their master data import files related to Strategic Sourcing deployments within the Enablement Workbook.

Data Dictionary Overview

Navigating the Data Dictionary

Please watch the video on Navigating the Data Dictionary.

Summary

The Data Dictionary is a Microsoft Excel workbook with worksheets that describe import and export files.
Each worksheet has descriptions that include the file name, field names, field descriptions, and data type.
The Index contains links to each tab.
Hold Ctrl and select the right arrow in the bottom left of the workbook to navigate to the Index that is the last sheet within the workbook.

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