CSV Generator Feature

  • Updated

The CSV Generator is a feature that allows users with the Bulk Updater Automation to update or add data more effectively in Filevine. 
 

When data requires significant changes in multiple Field Selectors, the CSV Generator Feature simplifies the process. It gathers different Field Selectors in a projectId column with a properly formatted CSV file. Change this file and import it into the Bulk Updater to: 

  • Avoid Manual Errors - It skips the formatting CSV files step.
  • Simplify Data Formatting - It allows data changes directly in the generated CSV file.
  • Shorten The Bulk-Upload - It increases the data update speed.
     

How to Access the CSV Generator

Follow these steps to access the CSV Generator:

1. Log in to Filevine.
2. Click on ProjectHub and select a project.
3. Click on the CSV Generator section.

4 STEPS

1. First, log in to Filevine with your credentials. Once inside, click on ProjectHub button.

2. Select a project that belongs to the correct ProjectType.

3. Finally, open the CSV Generator section.

4. That's it. You're in the CSV generator.

https://www.iorad.com/player/2611354/CSV-Generator-Feature---How-To-Access-The-CSV-Generator?iframeHash=trysteps-1&lang=en



Next step


CSV Generator Dashboard

The CSV Generator section dashboard includes the following elements:

1. Project Hub button.
2. CSV Generator section.
3. + Add an Item button.
4. CSV Generator menu.		  


How to Trigger the CSV Generator Section

Follow these steps to trigger the CSV Generator section:

1. Log in to Filevine.
2. Click on ProjectHub and select a project. 
3. Click on Manage Sections. 
4. Turn on the CSV Generator toggle.
5. Click Save. 
When triggering the CSV Generator section, a new section will be shown on the project dashboard.

6 STEPS

1. Start by logging in to Filevine. Next, click on the Project Hub.

2. From the list, select the project that belongs the correct ProjectType.

3. Once inside, open Manage Sections.

4. Here, switch on the CSV Generator toggle.

5. Scroll down and click Save to apply your changes.

6. That's it. You're done.

https://www.iorad.com/player/2611402/CSV-Generator-Feature---How-To-Trigger-The-CSV-Generator-Section?iframeHash=trysteps-1&lang=en



Next step

Do this triggering only once. After the first time, the CSV Generator Section will show it by default.

How to Generate a CSV File

Follow these steps to generate a CSV file:

1. Click on the CSV Generator section.
2. Click on the + Add an Item button.
3. Enter the Section Selector. E.g., ratesFgh
4. Click Create.
5. From the CSV Generator menu, select the created CSV Generator.
6. Click on the Generate CSV button. 
7. Click on Start Taskflow.
8. Refresh the window.

You will be redirected to the CSV Generator menu, where you will find a downloadable CSV file. The CSV Generator only generates CSV files for the update_form and create_collection_item functions of the Bulk Update. Other functions will not work.

 

9 STEPS

1. To generate a CSV file, begin by clicking on the CSV Generator section.

2. Next, click the + Add an Item button.

3. In the Section Selector field, type the section selector field name you want to use, for example: ratesFgh.

4. Click Create

5. From the CSV Generator menu, select the CSV Generator you just created.

6. Then, click the Generate CSV button.

7. Continue by clicking Start Taskflow.

8. Refresh the window and you will be redirected back to the CSV Generator menu, where your CSV file will be available for download.

9. That's it. You have generated your CSV file.

https://www.iorad.com/player/2611901/CSV-Generator-Feature---How-To-Generate-A-CSV-File?iframeHash=trysteps-1&lang=en



Next step


Find further information about the Section Selectors in the article: How to Get Selectors and Field Codes.

How to Download the CSV Files

Follow these steps to download a previously generated CSV file:

1. Click on ProjectHub and select a project.
2. Click on the CSV Generator section.
3. In the CSV Generator menu, click on the CSV Template field. 
     A pop-up window will show up.
4. Select your download preference file (Appsheet or Google Sheets). 
    This option gives a formatted document.
5. Edit the document (Optional). 
6. Download the document in a CSV format.

8 STEPS

1. To download the CSV file, click on the Project Hub.

2. Begin by selecting a project.

3. Next, click on the CSV Generator section.

4. In the CSV Generator menu, click on the CSV Template field. A pop-up window will appear.

5. Choose your preferred download method— Appsheet or Google Sheets. This will generate a formatted document.

6. Edit the document if needed.

7. Finally, download the document in CSV format.

8. That's it. You have downloaded a CSV file.

https://www.iorad.com/player/2611996/CSV-Generator-Feature---How-To-Download-The-CSV-Files?iframeHash=trysteps-1&lang=en



Next step


How to Edit Generated CSV Files

To edit the CSV file information, follow the How to Create a CSV file guideline and then start the Taskflow. This is how to edit a generated CSV file:

1. Open a downloaded CSV file.
2. In the projectId column, enter the project ID. Eg., 000000123.
3. Edit the columns that experience changes (Optional). 
4. Enter the information for each column (Optional). 
5. Save the CSV file.

6 STEPS

1. To edit a generated CSV file, open the downloaded CSV file.

This can be done directly from your files or from the CSV generator.

2. First, in the project ID column, enter the project ID. For example, 123

3. Edit the columns that have changes. You can delete or add new columns.

4. You can also enter information for each column, if required.

5. When you’re done, save or download the CSV file.

6. That's it. You have edited a CSV file.

https://www.iorad.com/player/2612510/CSV-Generator-Feature---How-to-Edit-Generated-CSV-Files?iframeHash=trysteps-1&lang=en



Next step

The projectId column is not required when formatting a CSV file for the create_project and create_contact functionalities. The rest of the functionalities require them.

How to Upload a CSV File

Follow these steps to upload a newly generated CSV file:

1. Click on ProjectHub and select a project.
2. Click on the Bulk Update Import section and click +Add an Item.
3. In the Functions dropdown menu, select a function.
4. In the Field to Load, click the upload icon button and select the edited CSV file.
5. Click Open.
6. Enter the Section Selector.
7. Click on the Csv Import button button and click Start Taskflow.
8. Click the Close button.

12 STEPS

1. To upload a CSV File, start by clicking on ProjectHub.

2. Then, select a project.

3. Go to Bulk Update Import section.

4. Click on the + Add an Item button.

5. Click on the Functions dropdown menu, pick the function you need.

6. In Field to Load, click the upload icon and upload your edited CSV file.

7. Enter the same Section Selector you used to generated the CSV. For example: ratesFgh

8. Then, click Csv Import button.

9. Click Start Taskflow

10. Click Close.

11. A notification will appear in the Bulk Update Import menu with the CSV confirming that it has been uploaded successfully.

12. That's it. You have uploaded a CSV file.

https://www.iorad.com/player/2612469/CSV-Generator-Feature---How-to-Upload-a-CSV-File?iframeHash=trysteps-1&lang=en



Next step


The Activity section will show the message Import process starts for #CsvImporter, which confirms the action was successful. The Activity section will also display a message if an error occurred during the process. For additional information, read the article: Bulk Updater Automation.