How to Import Time Categories in Mapp Intelligence?

Time categories in Mapp Intelligence allow you to import data with high flexibility, supporting detailed time intervals down to a specific hour. These categories are not limited to goals; they can also include external data or other relevant metrics for future or historical analysis.

Explore Practical Use Cases

Time categories in Mapp Intelligence serve as a critical tool for importing data, such as targets (e.g., goals for revenue or orders), which can then be compared to actual tracked values. By using time categories, you can align imported data with the desired time intervals (e.g., monthly, daily) to assess performance and plan strategically. Below are two practical examples demonstrating how time categories enable precise data tracking and analysis.

1. Tracking Net Revenue Targets: Watch the video tutorial

2. Setting Order Targets: Watch the video tutorial

Choosing the Right Interval for Data Import

Time categories in Mapp Intelligence always use an hourly format for imports, but the data can be analyzed at different intervals, such as daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly. Here’s how to approach selecting the appropriate interval for your data:

1. Hourly Data Import

   • Use Case: You have detailed data for every hour (e.g., hourly traffic or revenue targets).

   • File Structure: The Excel file includes rows for every hour of the day you want to analyze.

   • Analysis: Allows for precise hourly analysis but requires more rows to fill out.
     

2. Daily Data Import

   • Use Case: You have daily data, such as targets for sales or sign-ups.

   • File Structure: The Excel file includes one row per day, with a single hour (e.g., 00:00) chosen to represent the day. Other hours can be removed.

   • Analysis: Reflects daily values and works seamlessly for daily or larger intervals (e.g., weekly, monthly).
     

3. Monthly Data Import

   • Use Case: You have monthly data, such as revenue targets for each month.

   • File Structure: The Excel file includes one row per month, with a single hour (e.g., the 1st of the month at 00:00) chosen to represent the month.

   • Analysis: Reflects monthly values and works correctly for monthly, quarterly, or yearly analyses. When viewed in daily or hourly analyses, the value appears only at the chosen hour.

Note

If you’re uploading data for larger intervals (e.g., monthly), you don’t need to fill out rows for every day or hour. Simply select one representative hour per interval.

Steps for Importing Time Categories

1. Exporting the Current Setup or Using Predefined Templates

   1. Exporting the Current Setup:
      Exporting the current setup is useful when you need to update or modify existing data for the time category or want to review the structure of previously imported data.

      1. After creating the time category in Mapp Q3 > Configuration > Categories, click on the Import/Export icon.

      2. Export the current setup. The exported file will include:

         • A list of hourly intervals in the first column (including day, month, and year).

         • Any existing data that has already been uploaded for this time category.

         • The column header, which reflects the name of your time category in the required structure.

   2. Using Predefined Templates:
      Predefined templates are ideal for first-time imports where no data exists yet. It simplifies the setup process by providing a ready-made structure.

      1. We provides two ready-to-use templates: one for monthly intervals (includes data for 2024) and one for hourly intervals (includes data for January 1st 2024).

      2. Adjust the templates to match your data:

         • Column A: Modify the time intervals if needed.

         • Column B (Header): Ensure the column title contains the name of your time category.
           

2. Importing the File

   • Navigate to the Import tab of the time category in the system.

   • Upload the updated Excel file.

   • Confirm the import settings and submit.
     

3. Verifying the Import

   After importing:

   • Check the import status under Show Current Imports.

   • Resolve any errors listed (e.g., mismatched category names or formatting issues).

   • The imported data will be processed during the next account update (typically within an hour).