Data Import
    • 3 Minutes to read
    • Dark
      Light

    Data Import

    • Dark
      Light

    Article summary

    This job imports data from an XML or CSV file into a related data set. Single and multiple files can be imported from a zip archive.

    When a data set is imported from a CSV file, the columns (structure) must already exist in the related data set. With an XML file, both the structure (i.e. the columns of the table) and the data can be added during import.

    Configuration

    Setting

    Description

    Import type

    This drop-down menu defines the related data set into which the data is imported:

    • Abandoned Cart

    • Coupon List

    • Related data

    • Transactions

    • Wishlist

    Import Mode

    This drop-down list defines how the records are imported from the source file. The following options are available:

    • Add: This option saves new records from the import file to the data set without changing any existing records. If the data set is created with unique keys, records with keys that match existing records are not imported.

    • Replace: This option overwrites all of the existing records in the data set with the records from the import file.

    • Update and Add: This option replaces existing records in the data set with the corresponding record from the import file and adds new records to the data set. Existing records in the data set which do not correspond to any records in the import file remain unchanged. Records with new keys are added to the data set.

    Error Mode

    This drop-down list defines how errors in the source file are handled during data import. The following options are available:

    • Skip Value: If an error is encountered in a certain row in the import file, only the value which contains the error is not imported. If there are other values in the data set that can be imported, they are imported.

    • Skip Row: If an error is encountered in a certain row in the import file, the entire row which contains the error is not imported.

    Encoding

    Defines the character encoding of the source file. The character encoding ensures that the imported text is displayed correctly. The  symbol opens a pop-up window. In the window it is possible to select from a list of all available types of character encoding.

    File Type:

    This drop-down list selects the file type of the import data. The following options are available:

    • XML: Indicates that the data to be imported is an XML file format. 

    • CSV: Indicates that the data to be imported is a CSV file format. 

    Source File

    Displays the extension of the selected file type.

    Credential Store Record

    This input field defines the location where the import file is stored. A connection can be established with the server over FTP (FTP, PFTP (passive FTP), AFTP (active FTP), SFTP, FTPS), SCP and HTTP (HTTP, HTTPS).

    This address has the following format: ​protocol://user:password@host.port/url-path​.

    Example: ​

    ftp://joesample:1password@ftp.mapp.com/import​

    The server account credentials can be encrypted with ​Transfer Security​ records. The user name, password or complete user account are specified with placeholders for Transfer Security records. For more information, see Credential Store Options​.

    Send Import Summary


    Sends an XML version of the import report to the specified email addresses.

    Activate using the toggle switch. 

    File separator


    Lets you change the file separator in a CSV file.

    A standard CSV export has either a comma or tab as separator. The parameter ​separator defines a different separator.

    File compression

    Lets you unzip zip and gzip files.

    If the file to be imported is in a compressed format, the type of compression must be specified.

    Source Backup

    Saves a backup copy of the imported data in the data system or on a server

    As a general rule, Engage deletes the imported file as soon as the import is complete. If the imported data cannot be reproduced from a CRM or shop system, it is a good idea to make a backup copy when the import is finished. When this parameter is used, a default number of five backup files are saved at the specified address.

    Max number of backups

    Defines the number of backups.

    This option sets a limit to the number of backups saved. If the number of saved files exceeds the limit, Engage replaces the oldest file. No other files should be saved in the specified directory because all the files located there are managed by the backup process.

    Credential Store Record

    Defines where the backups are saved.

    Related Topics

    Structure of XML and CSV Files (Related Data)​
    Credential Store Options​


    Was this article helpful?


    What's Next