Importing spreadsheet data

In addition to the RC-Archive SQL databases, spreadsheet data can be uploaded to the RC-Reporter server as an External File. The points within the file can be used in reports. RC-Reporter supports two types of external files:

• Microsoft's Excel file format (.xlsx)
• Comma-Separated Value (.csv)

Note: Excel and CSV files with column names containing the tilde character ( ~ ) or the double quote character ( " ) are not supported by RC-Reporter. In addition, a column name cell that is blank is not supported.

You must use the following specific date/time format in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet:

Figure: Example format for the Date column in Microsoft Excel

Date,Temp1,Temp2,Humidity
12/10/2018 00:00,22.5,23.6,56
12/10/2018 00:10,22.4,23.8,54
12/10/2018 00:20,22.1,22.9,55

When using the CSV file format, ensure the following rules are met:

• No blank lines.
• First line is always a header row. Each column should have a header title that describes the column.
• Remaining lines should contain data.
• Each row after the second row should have the same format as the previous row.

Use the following steps to upload a spreadsheet file:

1. Click Data > External Files to open the Manage External Files page.
2. Click Upload and navigate to the file location.
3. Select the file and click Open, or double-click the file. A page displays where you can specify which columns to import, and the parameters associated with the imported data.

4. In the Include as row, for each column in the spreadsheet, choose an option to import the data in the column by clicking the drop-down arrow.

   • Append to point — Import the data as an addition to an existing point.
   • New point — Import the data in the column as a new point (this is the default).
   • Not used — Do not import the data in the column.

   The Timestamp drop-down list box has been deprecated and is no longer enabled.

5. In the Name row for each column, keep the name specified in the external file or enter a name for the point.
6. In the Unit row for each column, designate the units to use for each point.

7. Click Save.

   The points derived from the file are added to the list of files in the grid. The grid contains the following columns:

   • File — The name of the file that the points were derived from.
   • Points — The names of the points in the file.
   • Uploaded — The date on which the file was uploaded.
   • Uploader — The name of the RC-Reporter user who uploaded the file.

© 2019 Reliable Controls Corporation. All rights reserved. Published October 29, 2019