Export to CSV and Import from CSV features give ability to manipulate offline the data in batches or integrate with other systems.

The export/import is slightly different for flat forms and tree structured forms.

·         Flat forms: see Export to CSV and Import from CSV

·         Tree structure: see Export to CSV and Import from CSV

The import files for both flat and tree forms need to respect the same formatting rules with respect to fields.

Import Fields Data Format

The field format depends on the field type:

●      Choice: The value provided must match exactly the values in TRACE.

Multiple values must be semicolon-separated.

Value containing commas, must be quoted.

Examples: Low

“Very Low”

"Internet Explorer; Chrome"

●      Date: The value provided must match the format: YYYY-MM-DD

Example: 2015-02-28

●      Document: The value provided must match the format: "file_name,,extension,,file_description,,base64-encoded-content"

The document content must be base64 encoded.

Note:  The double commas between the data in the above format are mandatory.

●      Flag: The value provided must be one of the values: 1/0 or ON/OFF or YES/NO

●      Related:

o    Straight and Inverse: The value provided must be a Form ID semicolon-separated values

o    Double Inverse: The value provided must be Form IDs under this format "B0001,B0002;B0003,B0004"

●      Text, Long Text: The value provided must be quoted, if contains commas.

Text fields maximum length is 4000 characters.

Long Text fields maximum length is 8000 characters.

Example: “This is the new summary text”

●      User: The value provided must match one of the formats:

o    FirstName LastName

o    the email address: name@domain.com

If multiple values are provided, they must be semicolon-separated.

Examples: John Smith

John.smith@domain.com

●      Comments: The value provided must match the multi-line format:

First line: (i) FirstName LastName on date YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS TZ

Second line: Comment body (the comment itself)

o    If multiple comments are added, another carriage return must be inserted after the previous comment(s).

o    The time and timezone for the comment date can be omitted and provided data in YYYY-MM-DD format.

o    An internal comment is marked with (i) on the first line

o    Import can only append comments, not delete or update existing comments.

o    The Comment Body must be quoted, if has commas within.

The import performs the create/update/delete/reorder operation, depending on the form-type (see Table 5‑1)

Table 5‑1 Import Operations

Operation	Flat Forms	Tree Structure Forms
Create	Yes	Yes
Update	Yes	Yes
Delete	No	Yes
Reorder	N/A	Yes