TEKWave Dynamic Imports Overview

TEKWave Dynamic Imports Overview

•     Purpose
  1. The purpose of the Dynamic Imports feature is to allow clients/partners/end users the ability to efficiently import external data into the TEKControl portal, without using our premade import template files.
  2. Currently (08/24), Dynamic Imports is only available for Logistics Inspections and Custom Forms modules, with additional modules being added in the future.
• Pre-Processing of Data
  1. Data is imported using Comma-Separated Values files (.csv), which means that there is certain prep that must be done before import to process properly.
     • ALL COMMAS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE FILE. If this is not checked, data will be imported into misaligned fields! This can be done using the Replace feature (shortcut Ctrl+H), and replacing all “,” with some other character (usually a “;” or “-“ character can be used instead, depending on data), then clicking Replace All. (Below left)
     • REMOVE HIDDEN LINE BREAKS. These are hidden carriage return characters that can impact data. To find and replace hidden line breaks, use the Replace feature, and in the “Find What” field, use shortcut Ctrl+J, after which you will see a small tick mark one space over; this is the hidden character. Leave the “Replace With” field blank, then click Replace All. (Below bottom) 
     • Make note of the time format used in the .csv file (mm-dd-yyyy hh:mm, mm/dd/yy hhmm, etc.). You will need to match that format during the dynamic import.
• TEKControl Portal (Logistics) (See section (iv) on Page 3 for Custom Forms)
  1. 1. 1. Dynamic imports can be accessed through the TEKControl portal, on the General Administration page, and then within the settings for the module. For this section, we will use the Logistics Inspection module.
        2. In the Logistics Inspection Settings, use the arrows in the top right corner to navigate to the right until you reach the Import tab shown below. Click on that tab, then click on Dynamic Import Logistics Inspections.  
        3. You will now see the window for dynamic logistics imports. At the top of the page are instructions laying out the order of operations for the import process.
           • First, click “Select Import File” then import the file that you will be using for the import. Once selected, the window will populate with all column headers from the .csv file on the left, and dropdown menus on the right.
           • Make sure the “Date Format” section matches the data from the .csv file.
             • NOTE: Excel or other spreadsheet programs will sometimes apply a display format while leaving the data unchanged; open the .csv file in a text editor such as Notepad to see the raw data and check the date format there if you are running into a “Date Format Error”
           • For each column in the file that you want to import, select the DB field on the right that matches it
             • If no DB field is selected, that column will be ignored.  
           • If you are going to use this same type of file in the future (i.e. same column names which will map to the same DB fields with the same date format, such as a daily or weekly import), enter a template name in the box at the top and click Save Template.  
             • This will allow you to import files in the future by uploading the file, selecting the template, and clicking Import.
           • Once you are ready to import, click the green Import button in the bottom right corner. 
           • If there were no errors in the date format, the import will take place and you will receive an email with the import log. Any rows/entries that did not process for whatever reason will be listed in that log.
• TEKControl Portal (Custom Forms) (See section (iii) on Page 2 for Logistics)
  1. Dynamic imports can be accessed through the TEKControl portal, on the General Administration page, and then within the settings for the module. For this section, we will use the Custom Forms module.                           
  2. You will now see the window for dynamic custom form imports. At the top of the page are instructions laying out the order of operations for the import process.
     • First, you need to select a Site and Form (if you have access to more than one of either)
     • Next, Click “Select Import File” then import the file that you will be using for the import. Once selected, the window will populate with all column headers from the .csv file on the left, and dropdown menus on the right.
     • Make sure the “Date Format” section matches the data from the .csv file.
       • NOTE: Excel or other spreadsheet programs will sometimes apply a display format while leaving the data unchanged; open the .csv file in a text editor such as Notepad to see the raw data and check the date format there if you are running into a “Date Format Error”
     • For each column in the file that you want to import, select the DB field on the right that matches it.
       • If no DB field is selected, that column will be ignored.    
     • If you are going to use this same type of file in the future (i.e. same column names which will map to the same DB fields with the same date format, such as a daily or weekly import), enter a template name in the box at the top and click Save Template.    
       • This will allow you to import files in the future by uploading the file, selecting the template, and clicking Import.
     • Once you are ready to import, click the green Import button in the bottom right corner.    
• If there were no errors in formatting, the import will take place and you will receive an email with the import log. Any rows/entries that did not process for whatever reason will be listed in that log.