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RMD import

General information

The RMD import functionality allows you to load data for measures and dimensions from Microsoft Excel and CSV files into the current project version. Import completely replaces existing RMD data in the selected project version with data from the file.

Access to the import function

The import function is available on the RMD screen:

  • The "Import from file" item is available via the menu in each section of the RMD screen
  • The function is available to all users with editing rights to the RMD

Supported file formats

  • Microsoft Excel (.xlsx)
  • Microsoft Excel 97-2003 (.xls)
  • CSV (Comma-Separated Values) (.csv)

Limitations

  • Maximum file size: 10 MB
  • Only one file can be loaded at a time
  • Hidden sheets in Excel files are not available for import
  • Merged cells in the import file are not processed (corresponding cells will remain empty)

Import process

The import process is organized as a step-by-step wizard. Each step displays its number and name. You can navigate forward and backward between steps until the import is executed.

File selection

  1. Click the "Import from file" button on the RMD screen
  2. Select a file using your browser's standard file selection dialog
  3. Click "Next" to proceed to the next step

Worksheet selection for Excel files

On this step, you select which data to import and from which Excel sheets to take them.

Available options:

  • Import only measures
  • Import only dimensions
  • Import both measures and dimensions

Sheet selection:

  • The system shows a list of all visible sheets from the uploaded file
  • By default, sheets named "Measures" and "Dimensions" are selected
  • You can manually select other sheets for importing measures and/or dimensions

CSV settings

On this step, you select which data from CSV files to load into which tables.

Available options:

  • Import data into the measures table (default)
  • Import data into the dimensions table

Data delimiter selection:

  • Tab
  • Comma - default value
  • Semicolon

Column selection

On this step, you map columns from the import file to RMD columns in the system.

How the system determines columns for Excel files:

  • Column names are taken from the first non-empty row of the selected sheet
  • If a cell in the row with column names is empty, the corresponding column is skipped
  • If there are merged cells in the row with column names, all columns underneath them are skipped

How the system determines columns for CSV files:

  • Column names are taken from the first row of the file considering the selected delimiter

Column mapping capabilities (for all formats):

  • All columns from the file are available for mapping
  • All available RMD columns in the current project are available for mapping
  • You can map only necessary columns
  • The system automatically maps columns whose names in the file match existing names in the system

Option mapping

This capability is available on the column selection step for RMD columns with the "Select" field type (dropdown list).

When mapping options, you can:

  • Load the list of existing option values from the file
  • Map option values from the import file to available options in the system
  • Add new options for dropdown lists directly from the import screen
  • Leave some options unmatched (corresponding cells will remain empty)

Notes:

  • If for a "Select" type column the existing option values from the file were not loaded for mapping, then values from this column will not be imported
  • Added options are saved in the system even if the import is cancelled
  • The system automatically maps options from the file with matching option names in the system
  • For "Select from DB" columns, option mapping is not available

Data verification and import confirmation

On this step, you can preview how the data will look after import.

Preview capabilities:

  • Switch between the full view of RMD tables and the view of only mapped columns
  • Sorting, searching, and filtering data (does not affect the import)
  • Scrolling through full tables of imported data

Limitations:

  • You cannot edit data in the preview table
  • Data is displayed exactly as it will appear after import

Executing the import

After confirming the import:

  1. All existing data in the selected for import RMD sections in the current project version is deleted
  2. Data from the file is loaded into the RMD
  3. Links to deleted data in other parts of the product are removed
  4. You are returned to the RMD screen

Important notes:

  • Data is imported into the project version that was open when the import process was started
  • Data in other project versions is not changed
  • If an error occurs during import (for example, too much data), the system will display an appropriate message

Cancelling the import

You can cancel the import at any step:

  • Click the cancel button or close the import wizard
  • Confirm the cancellation in the dialog that appears
  • When cancelled, no data is loaded into the system

Note: Refreshing the browser page or navigating to another page during import is equivalent to cancelling the import.

After import

After successful import:

  • The RMD screen displays the version into which data was imported
  • If measures were imported (or both measures and dimensions), the measures table is displayed
  • If only dimensions were imported, the dimensions table is displayed
  • For CSV: the table into which data was imported is displayed

Recommendations for preparing files for import

For Excel files:

  1. File structure:
  2. Use separate sheets for measures and dimensions

  3. Name sheets "Measures" and "Dimensions" for automatic detection

  4. Column headers:

  5. Place column names in the first row of the sheet
  6. Avoid empty cells in the header row
  7. Do not use merged cells in the header row

For CSV files:

  1. File structure:
  2. Determine which table (measures or dimensions) the file will be imported into

  3. Use a single delimiter throughout the entire file

  4. Column headers:

  5. Place column names in the first row of the file

  6. Use correct column names for automatic mapping

  7. Encoding and format:

  8. Use UTF-8 encoding to support Russian characters
  9. Ensure numeric data does not contain extra characters (spaces, quotes)

General recommendations for all formats:

  1. Data:
  2. Ensure the data format matches the field types in the RMD
  3. For "Select" type fields, use values that exist in the system (or plan to add them during import)

  4. Do not use merged cells in data tables

  5. File size:

  6. Optimize the file if it approaches the 10 MB limit
  7. For Excel: remove unnecessary sheets and embedded images
  8. For CSV: remove empty rows and unnecessary columns