Data Import/Export
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      2. Decision Lens Classic
      3. Data Import/Export

      Import Alternatives & Ratings Data

      1. Import Alternatives

      Launch the Import Wizard from the Portfolio Overview screen by clicking the Import Data button on the top right. 

      Select the “Alternatives” Tile from the first tab of the Wizard and click on the NEXT button. 

      There are 4 steps to complete in the “Select File” Tab

      Step 1 is to select the file you will be importing data from

      Drag your file into the dotted lines or select to manually add your file (File Types .xls or .xlsx).

      Once file is added, a preview of the first 20 rows of your file will display

      To change your file, select the Step 1 tile, and drop another file or click within the dotted lines to manually select a new file.

      Step 2: Use the dropdown to select the worksheet you want to import from

      Step 3: Choose the row on the worksheet that contains your header information.

       

      Step 4: Select the column that contains the Alternative Names. Then click the NEXT button to start mapping your fields.

      Now select the columns from your file that you want to import into the portfolio

      To only import Alternative Names, select the “Skip This Step” button from the Map Fields step

      Map the column in your file to an Alternative Field in Decision Lens or, Create a New Custom Field from the Import Wizard if your field does not yet exist

      To create a new custom field in your Portfolio, select the field type (ex Category) and a dialog box will display to complete the field w/ options. 

      When you have finished mapping columns, click on the NEXT button to preview your data.

      Confirm that the data columns/rows are accurate and then click IMPORT NOW button.

      Once an import is started, all data will be imported into the portfolio.

      The Import Wizard can be closed while an import is in progress. Once the import is started, all data will continue to be imported, even if the user times out or closes the window.

      Once the import is complete, you will be automatically directed to the Finish Tab where you can view your import summary:

      • Notes number of new Alternatives added / updated
      • Select to begin a new import with the same spreadsheet or begin a new import with a different spreadsheet
      • If done importing data, close the import wizard

      During Import of Alternative Data for Custom Fields the system will warn the user about the following import parameters.

      Warning messages may appear if spreadsheet data does not meet the fields guidelines. Warnings are non-blocking and user may proceed with import even if they encounter a warning for a field.

      • Alternative Names cannot exceed 255 characters. Names that exceed the limit will be truncated on import.
      • Text Input Short Response Fields cannot exceed 255 characters. Short Responses that exceed the limit will be truncated on import.
      • Text Input Long Response Fields cannot exceed 5,000 characters. Long Responses that exceed the limit will be truncated on import.
      • Options within an Alternative Category cannot
      • Metric data can only contain numeric data. Alternative metrics that contain non-numeric data will not be imported

      2. Import Ratings Data

      How to Import Ratings Data 

      Use the Import Wizard to add Ratings Data to your portfolio Includes: Criteria, Descriptions, and Ratings for Individual Participants. 

      Launch the Import Wizard from the Portfolio Overview and select the “Ratings” Tile from the first tab of the Wizard

        

      In order to see the Ratings Tile and to import Ratings, you must have:

      • At least one Criterion in the portfolio
      • At least one Rating Scale for a Criterion in the portfolio
      • At least one Alternative in the portfolio
      • At least one Voter within the portfolio

      Once “Ratings” has been selected as the import type, select the Next button or the Select File tab to proceed with the import. 

      Step 1 Select File - .xls or .xlsx files only

      Step 2 Select Worksheet

      • By default, the worksheet that was saved with the selected file will be chosen
      • Change the worksheet from the dropdown. Once you select a new worksheet, the preview will update

      Step 3 Select Headers Row - Selecting the ”Headers Row” tells the Import Wizard where your data begins

      Step 4 Select Alternatives Column - From the preview, select the column that contains your Alternative Names

      Before mapping fields, select the Voter that the Ratings should be applied to

      • Only Voters with Ratings enabled will display in the dropdown and can be selected
      • Once a Voter is selected, a green checkmark will display to confirm the step is complete

      To complete the Map Fields screen, select the columns in the spreadsheet that contain the Ratings Data. Map the selected columns for import to the appropriate Criterion in the portfolio

      • Only criteria that have been assigned to the Voter will display
      • Both the verbal and numeric value for a rating option can be imported

      NOTE: When importing Quantitative Ratings Data. Mapping a column to a quantitative criterion within the portfolio will not display the mapping section for rating values. All quantitative values will be automatically accepted and imported

      • Only numeric data can be imported for a quantitative criterion. If non-numeric data is found, the column will need to be de-selected for import or mapped to a qualitative criterion

      How to resolve unknown ratings

      • Ratings that do not match those defined within the scale for the Criterion need to be manually mapped
      • Empty cells or cells with “-” will be automatically mapped to the “Clear Vote” option. Importing a blank cell or cell with “-” will clear ratings that previously existed

      To advance to the Review Tab:

      • All columns selected for import must be mapped to a criterion
      • All ratings that could not be automatically mapped from the spreadsheet to a rating value for the criterion must be mapped
      • The Review Tab enables Owners to review all data that has been mapped prior to importing
      • All empty cells or cells with “-” with show as ”Clear Rating” in the Review Tab

      Select “Import Now” to import the Ratings data. 

      Once the import is complete, you will be automatically directed to the Finish Tab where you can view your import summary

      Ratings Import Summary

      • Notes which Voter the ratings were applied to
      • Notes total number of Ratings updated
      • Noes total number of Ratings cleared
      • Select to begin a new import with the same spreadsheet or begin a new import with a different spreadsheet

      If done importing data, close the import wizard and return to the Portfolio View.