Creating Event Content using Microsoft Excel

Smart import from Excel enables you to create content for an RFP event by importing data from an unstructured Excel file that contains one or more sheets including sheets for items, questions, and requirements.

You can import content from an unstructured Excel file while creating an RFP event or by editing an RFP event that is in draft state.

You can download sample Excel files for single-sheet import, multisheet import, and material master import from the Upload Excel file for smart import page. Sample Excel files are only for reference and aren’t meant to enforce any structure or format.

The unstructured Excel file must contain the contents for the RFP event in tables that include a header row. SAP Ariba Sourcing identifies the table structure in each of the worksheets and interprets the data to populate content such as items, questions, and requirements for the RFP event. You can review and revise the mapping from the SAP Ariba Sourcing UI before the populated content is added to the event.

The content to be imported from the unstructured Excel file should be in a simple table format. Data in complex tables aren'tsupported for import from unstructured Excel file.

When you import content from an unstructured, multi-sheet Excel file, SAP Ariba Sourcing provides suggestions for mapping the sheets in the Excel file to supported content types:

• Items
• Questions
• Requirements

You can either confirm these suggestions or modify the suggestions as required. If any of the sheets ddon'trender to a direct mapping to a content type, the sheet is marked as a sheet that won'tbe imported. If you ddon’tot agree with the suggestion, you can add the sheet to the import. If you choose to add the sheet to the import, a mapping is assigned to the sheet by SAP Ariba Sourcing. You can confirm or modify the mapping as necessary.

Depending on the number of sheets and mapping to content type, the preview page contains up to 3 tabs:

• Preview items
• Preview questions
• Preview requirements

After you confirm the mappings, the contents from the Excel sheet are uploaded to tthe event,vent and a preview is displayed for your review and confirmation.

You can use the Manage worksheets option to review and modify the sheet mappings after importing the content. You can preview the contents that you added to the event and modify mappings of the fields as necessary. When you review the field mappings for an item, you can choose to modify the mapping, mark the mapping as reviewed, or delete the field.

The following restrictions apply to smart import from unstructured excel files to create RFP event line items:

• Unstructured Excel file-based import is supported only for the locale EN.
• Unstructured Excel file-based import isn't supported for sites connecting through Russia Data Center.
• Unstructured Excel file-based import isn't supported for the following types of events:
  • Auctions
  • RFI events
  • Large-capacity events
• Excel files of only .xls or .xlsx formats are supported for import of line-item content to an RFP event.
• The following items aren't supported for import from the unstructured Excel file:
  • Sections.
  • Multiple tables or content types on the same sheet.
  • Mix of content, such as terms, questions, and requirements, in the same table.
  • Conditions.
  • Complex formulas, such as SUM, AVERAGE, and so on, are not supported.
  • Prerequisite questions.
• Importing content from an Excel file to an event replaces any content that was already added to the event.

Follow the Procedure of Importing Content from an Unstructured Excel File While Creating an RFP Event in the Event Management Guide.

To view the import menu, choose the Spreadsheet import/export icon.

1. Choose SAP Ariba Simplified format (items/questions only).

   The import options appear.

2. Choose Line items or Questions, requirements, and attachments.
3. Choose one of the following:
   • Add or edit event content.
   • Replace event content.
4. To download the simplified Excel file, choose download.
5. When the download completes, open the file in Microsoft Excel. To add line items, add or edit rows in the Line Items sheet; to add questions, add or edit rows in the Content sheet.
6. To delete any row, in the Delete column, enter Yes and save your changes.
7. In the Choose import method and upload file popup, use the file upload area (Drag and drop a "Simplified" format Excel sheet, click to browse) to drag and drop, or select your edited Excel file.
8. Choose Import.

If an error occurs, you must correct the problem in your Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. If you choose Cancel, you are taken back to the Import Content from Excel page. Browse to your file again and try again to import it.

Not all errors cause an error to be displayed. For example, if you accidentally changed an optional column heading, the system ignores it during import, and the expected data under the column doesn’t appear. Always verify that the data you think you loaded is displayed online.

When the template is error free, SAP Ariba Sourcing returns you to the page from which you opened theImport Content from Excel page. Look through the imported information to see if it’s what you intended. If necessary drag and drop, or copy and paste the information to order it correctly.

Watch the video on how to import content via Microsoft Excel.