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Overview

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CSV Data Imports

Yellowfin's CSV functionality allows business users to transform their existing spreadsheets into reports. This means that any of Yellowfin's reporting capabilities can be quickly applied to spreadsheet contents, including the ability to drill down and categorise data.

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1. Import a new CSV file through the Report Builder process
2. Import a new CSV file through the View Builder process

Import Methods

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CSV Data Imports

When importing a CSV file for reporting use, it’s important to consider what the data will be used for, and which import method would best suit that use.

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1. The user defines any converters to be applied to the data, creating additional fields in the final table.
2. Yellowfin creates a table that is listed in the View Builder, allowing the user to select it, as they would any other table from the selected source connection. This table will be available to any View built on the writable source connection.
3. The user selects the CSV table and adds it to the View like they would any other table, joining it to other tables, etc.
4. The user defines any default formatting and relationships between fields, such as drill down, through the standard View Builder steps, rather than the CSV step.

Setup

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CSV Data Imports

Writable Data Source

Yellowfin requires a Data Source connection to be defined as writable in order to write the contents of the CSV file to a table in the database. Often the writable connection will be pointing to an empty database, created solely for the purpose of importing CSVs or caching views. This is to ensure that any imports are kept separate from the main data sources.

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Navigate to Administration > Admin Console. Open the Roles section and click on the role you wish to enable CSV access for. Enable the following: Database Views - this provides the user with access to the standard View Builder. Create CSV Table - this enables the CSV Import functionality within the View Builder. Save the role.

Prepare CSV File

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CSV Data Imports

Before the import process can begin, you will need to obtain or create your CSV file. There are some guidelines in place to ensure a compatible file.

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1. Crosstab/Pivot - do not attempt to import data that is in crosstab/pivot format as Yellowfin will examine the file as though it was in column format and as such will store the data in an unintended and unusable structure.
2. Totals - do not apply totals to your fields, as Yellowfin will not differentiate them from the rest of your data.
3. XLS - do not store your data in XLS or XLSX formats as Yellowfin will only read CSVs.

 

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CSV Data Imports