What is the CSV Data Import?

The CSV data import allow you to import data from a CSV file into any DataView supporting write operations, with option to define the mapping and create objects that do not exist in the DataView yet.

Configuring a CSV Import

  • From BimSens main form, in the top toolbar, open the Transfer Dialogue
  • Select View Import and click New Transfer. The CSV import configuration dialogue opens
  • Give the transfer a Name
  • In the Source File section, specify the Path to the CSV file to import data from
  • Tick the Always prompt for a file before running option if you would like to enable loading file(s) from different location every time.


IMPORT MULTIPLE FILES


By ticking the option Always prompt for a file before running, you are able to select multiple files when running the import and import them all as a batch


  • Choose a Field Delimiter (comma by default)
  • in the Mappings of Update section select the File Column and View Column to map for update of existing records. You can click the Auto Mapping button to let BimSens try to automatically match columns by name. You can pick a DataView Parameter instead of a File Column as the source for the Mapping, refer to Configuring Parameters for more information.
  • Set the Key mapping. Key mapping(s) are used by BimSens to identify records that are the same between the DataView and the CSV file, for instance unique Ids. You must define at least one Key mapping but you are not limited to one and can create composite keys using multiple Key mappings. The record will be identified as the same if all Key mappings are equal.


You can run the report as is, all Key mappings will be used to find matching records and all other mappings will be used to update the records. New records in the file that are not in the DataView will be ignored. If you want the transfer to create new records you must specify a Create Action.

Creating New Element during a CSV Import

By default, records from the CSV file that have no match in the DataView are ignored. However, if the DataView supports Actions, any Create Action can be used to create the corresponding element.

  • In the Mappings new Records select a Create Action
  • Select the File Columns and Action Parameters to map. Parameters that are not mapped will be given the Default Value if one is defined in the Action Configuration, NULL value otherwise

You can click Run Now to run the Transfer immediately, or click OK to save the configuration and run the Transfer later. Configured Transfers can be run in one click from the Transfer Dialogue.