Help:Import Spreadsheet
We know that many researchers have used spreadsheets to organize their research, and it would be a waste of time if, in bringing that data into the wiki, it had to be entered all in by hand again. Fortunately the wiki has an import function where properly-formatted spreadsheet data can be automatically imported into the wiki.
CSV Files
In general, the process requires that the spreadsheet be exported to something called a comma-separated-values file (or CSV, for short). Each row in that file will correspond to a future page on the wiki, and will be populated with whatever fields of data you have that correspond to the wiki fields. Nearly all spreadsheet programs have an "export to CSV" option, so the export to that format should be easy.
However, the file should be prepared in a particular format prior to export. Here are general considerations:
- Any fields that contain geographic coordinates (lat/long) must be decimal-degree values, and in a string " " separated by a comma, i.e "39.2356,-74.2356" otherwise they'll import, but won't be the right location. Note that decimal degrees is not the same as degrees, minutes and seconds. See the difference: 30.5 degrees (which is decimal notation) is the equivalent of 30°30’00” (degrees, minutes, seconds notation). Do not take something looking like 30°23’46” and enter it in as 30.2346. They are not equivalent and you'll find the location will not be where you intend.
- Any commas in any of the fields must be within quotes. For instance, brick, masonry, stone MUST be "brick, masonry, stone" or the import will fail.
- Make sure there isn't already a page for the record in the wiki. If there is, delete that record from the CSV and enter its data into the wiki by hand.
- The header record (field names, etc) which is the first line of the CSV file has a particular format requirement. The page field MUST be named Title and the rest of the fields MUST be named Table_Name[field_name] (Table_name to be substituted for whatever table the spreadsheet is to be imported into. Currently we have Arch, buildings, Firms and Grounds.)
The Table Formats
Note that you do not have to have an input for every field. You may not have any entries in any of the records for a particular field. However, the fields that you do have must be named (in the top row of the CSV file) exactly the field names below, including underscores, if any. And the names are case sensitive.
The Arch Table
Field Name | Type | Comments |
---|---|---|
portrait | File | |
birth_date | Date | |
birth_approx | Boolean | |
birth_place | String | |
death_date | Date | |
death_approx | Boolean | |
death_place | String | |
nationality | String | |
alma_mater | String | |
associated_firms | List of Page | |
burial_place | String | |
spouse | String | |
signature | File | |
awards | String | |
significant_design | String |
The buildings Table
Field Name | Type | Comments |
---|---|---|
image | File | |
address | String | |
Geo | Coordinates | |
altitude | String | |
owner | String | |
building_type | String | |
architectural_style | String | |
height | Float | |
material | String | |
floor_count | Float | |
floor_area | Float | |
elevator_count | Integer | |
structural_system | String | |
architect | Page | |
architecture_firm | Page | |
structural_engineer | String | |
civil_engineer | String | |
m_e_engineer | String | |
other_designers | String | |
surveyor | String | |
landscape_architect | String | |
contractors | List of Page | |
awards | String | |
groundbreaking_date | Date | |
groundbreaking_date_approx | Boolean | |
start_date | Date | |
start_date_approx | Boolean | |
topped_out_date | Date | |
topped_out_date_approx | Boolean | |
completion_date | Date | |
completion_date_approx | Boolean | |
opened_date | Date | |
opened_date_approx | Boolean | |
cost | Float | |
cost_approx | Boolean | |
renovation_date | Date | |
renovation_date_approx | Boolean | |
ren_architect | String | |
ren_firm | String | |
ren_l_a | String | |
ren_str_engineer | String | |
ren_civ_engineer | String | |
ren_oth_designers | String | |
ren_m_e_engineer | String | |
ren_contractors | List of Page | |
ren_cost | Float | |
ren_cost_approx | Boolean | |
ren_awards | String | |
demolished | Date | |
demolished_approx | Boolean | |
national_register_id | Integer | |
national_register_url | URL |
The Firms Table
Field Name | Type | Comments |
---|---|---|
logo | File | |
image | File | |
firm_type | List of String | |
founders | List of Page | |
antecedents | List of Page | |
successors | List of Page | |
personnel | List of Page | |
location | String | |
founded | Start date | |
founded_approx | Boolean | |
dissolved | End date | |
dissolved_approx | Boolean | |
awards | List of String | |
significant_projects | List of Page | |
website | URL |
The Grounds Table
Field Name | Type | Comments |
---|---|---|
alt_name | String | |
image | File | |
address | String | |
perimeter | Text | |
Geo | Coordinates | |
founder | List of String | |
owner | String | |
builder | List of String | |
landscape_architect | Page | |
other_designers | List of Page | |
acreage | Float | |
elevation | Float | |
founded | Date | |
founded_approx | Boolean | |
opened | Date | |
opened_approx | Boolean | |
type | List of String | |
NRHP_ID | String | |
NRHP_url | URL |
The Import
After the CSV file is in a format that allows for one-to-one import to the wiki fields, click on the Import CSV page, select the CSV file using the "Browse" button at the top of the page, leave the encoding type as-is, select "Skip" for pages that already exist, and click on the Import button at the bottom to initiate the process.
Note that wikis do not import files of this type all at one time. To lessen the load on the site, they import one record each time there is another page request anywhere else on the wiki. This serves to spread the backend processing load out and allows the wiki to remain responsive to other users. Over the next few minutes or hours the wiki will import one record at a time from the CSV until all the records are online.