How to prepare your CSV file for importing data in Alpine

In this article, we'll share some best practices for importing data from a CSV file into your Alpine database.

Use proper field formatting

To prevent errors or unexpected outcomes during the import process, it is important to consider the formatting of certain fields. Before beginning the import process, go through the following checklist to ensure a smooth import:

File format
Only use Comma Separated Value (CSV) format. Uploading XLS or XLSX files will result in an error message.
Email address fields
Make sure all email addresses in your file are spelled correctly and are properly formatted.
Date field values
All date field values must be in one of the following formats
- MM/DD/YYYY
- MM/DD/YY
- Month Day, Year Hour:Minute:Second AM/PM Timezone
- ISO8601 (%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S%z)

Special and accented characters
Make sure that your CSV file uses UTF-8 character encoding.

Empty rows and columns

Only include columns you wish to map to fields during the import process and delete any columns you don't need. Additionally, remove all empty rows before you start your import

Remove formulas
Use a fresh spreadsheet without any formulas. If you have a spreadsheet that uses formulas or data-linking to generate the contents of a cell, copy the data from your spreadsheet into a fresh sheet without the formulas.
One tab per spreadsheet
Your spreadsheet should only have one tab containing data. If your spreadsheet has more than one tab, copy and paste the tabs into individual files and import them one at a time.
Header row
When importing a spreadsheet, you'll want to make sure to include a header row. The header row helps the Bulk Uploader identify the data in each column.
One Action type per spreadsheet
If you're importing a spreadsheet containing Constituents and Actions, all records in your CSV file must contain the same Action Type. For example, all Donation records should be imported separately from Ticketing or Membership records.

Split your data into smaller import files

It's recommended to divide a large CSV data file into smaller files when importing. This helps to ensure that the import process is not too time-consuming and allows you to verify if each file is importing correctly.

Sample CSV templates

To access the sample CSV import file, simply click on the provided link. For optimal results, open the file using a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. These sample import files already include the necessary columns and commonly used standard fields that you would typically use for a first-time import.