Platform User Manual
[Mzima] User Manual
[Mzima] User Manual
  • [Mzima] Ushahidi Platform User Manual
  • Navigating the Ushahidi Platform User Manual
  • Downloading the User Manual
  • Translating the User Manual
  • About Ushahidi
  • Overview of Ushahidi Platform [Mzima]
    • Technical Specifications
  • 1. Installing Ushahidi Platform
  • 2. Setting up a deployment
  • 3. Configuring your deployment
    • 3.1 Accessing your deployment
    • 3.2 General Settings
    • 3.3 Surveys
    • 3.4 Data Sources
      • 3.4.1 Email
      • 3.4.2 Gmail
      • 3.4.3 Vonage(formerly NextMo)
      • 3.4.4 SMSSync
      • 3.4.5 Twilio
      • 3.4.6 Twitter
      • 3.4.7 Africa's Talking
    • 3.5 Categories
  • 4. Managing People on your deployment
    • 4.1 Roles
    • 4.2 Users
  • 5. Modes for visualizing and managing data on your deployment
    • 5.1 Map View
    • 5.2 Data view
    • 5.3 Activity view
    • 5.4 Data managing functionalities shared among views
  • 6. Managing Data in your deployment
    • 6.1 Viewing Posts
    • 6.2 Filtering and Sorting Posts
    • 6.3 Adding Posts
    • 6.4 Editing Posts
    • 6.5 Translating Posts
    • 6.6 Publishing Posts
    • 6.7 Deleting Posts
    • Page
    • 6.8 Importing Data
    • 6.9 Exporting and Tagging Data
      • 6.9.1 Exporting Data
      • 6.9.2 Tagging Data - HDX integration
  • 7. Analysing Data on your deployment
    • Untitled
    • 7.1 Saved Searches
    • 7.2 Collections
  • 8. Additional Links
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  • To import a CSV file,
  • Video setup guide
  • Steps to importing a CSV file
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  1. 6. Managing Data in your deployment

6.8 Importing Data

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Last updated 7 months ago

The Data Import feature allows you to import posts into the platform. It is particularly useful in cases where:-

  • You need to upload posts in bulk

  • You need to upload posts that people can’t send to you via email/phone but have the data available in CSV format

  • (In future) You are transferring data from one platform to another

To import a CSV file,

First, you need to have prepared your CSV file. Make sure that

  • You are uploading a file in CSV format. Any other file formats are not accepted

  • Your CSV file size does not exceed 2MB

  • Your CSV file has Column headers( these will be useful when mapping your CSV column to the survey fields)

  • Geographic location information is separated into two columns; one for Latitude, and the other for Longitude.

NOTE:

  • CSV files are text-based and cannot store multimedia content like images or videos.

  • Special formatting, including font styles, colors, bold, italics, or other spreadsheet formatting options, will not be preserved in CSV files.

  • Items like charts, graphs, or embedded objects (e.g., Excel objects) cannot be included in a CSV file.

  • Special characters like commas, quotes, and new lines within fields must be properly escaped or enclosed in quotes. Improper formatting could break the CSV structure.

See below for a sample CSV file

The setup in this guide is demonstrated in the video below as well. You can watch and follow the guide at the same time!

Video setup guide

Steps to importing a CSV file

  • On the left-hand menu bar, click on Settings

  • Then, click on Data Import.

  • You’ll get redirected to the import page, as shown below.

  • Select a survey you’d like to match the data you’re uploading to. This field is populated with a list of all existing surveys on your deployment.

  • Choose the CSV file you would like to upload.

  • Select 'Marked as...' to choose the status of your imported post

    • Published: A published post is publicly visible on the platform. It has been reviewed (if necessary) and approved, making it accessible to all users who visit the platform.

    • Under Review: A post that is under review is still being evaluated. It hasn’t been approved or made visible to the public yet. Only administrators or members of your team can view it.

    • Archived: A post in the archive is no longer visible on the active platform but is kept for record-keeping purposes. It’s not deleted, but it is not part of the current, live data. Archived posts can be retrieved or reviewed by administrators if necessary but are typically hidden from the general public.

  • Choose your Survey, define a column in your CSV file and proceed with the instructions below.

  • On successful file upload, you’ll need to assign your CSV Columns to post fields, as illustrated below.

  • Click on Import.

  • If successfully uploaded, You’ll receive notices as follows.

A sample CSV file with 5 columns, Title, Description, Categories, Latitude and Longitude
Highlighted: Settings in the Ushahidi sidebar
Settings -> Import button highlighted
Import Page - Upload CSV file button highlighted to upload csv and survey field to choose survey
Highlighted: Defined by a column in your CSV file select field
Click on Import Button highlighted to Import the csv.
Successful Import Complete Notification
Highlighted: Settings in the Ushahidi sidebar
Settings -> Import button highlighted
Import Page - Upload CSV file button highlighted to upload csv and survey field to choose survey
Click on Import Button highlighted to Import the csv.
Successful Import Complete Notification