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Data Import FAQ

Common questions about importing clients, locations, and activities into FlowForth.

What file format is required for imports?​

All imports use CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files. The file must use a comma as the delimiter and be saved in UTF-8 encoding.

Does the CSV need a header row?​

Yes. The first row of your CSV file is treated as a header row and is automatically skipped during import.

What happens if I import the same file twice?​

Imports use an ExternalId field to determine whether to create or update records:

  • If no record with that ExternalId exists, a new record is created.
  • If a record with that ExternalId already exists, it is updated with the new values.

This means you can safely re-import an updated file without creating duplicates.

Who can import data?​

Data import is available to Master users only. If you don't see the import option, contact your FlowForth administrator.

What can I import?​

FlowForth supports importing:

My import has errors — what do I do?​

After an import completes, you'll see a summary showing how many rows were created, updated, and failed. Common causes of errors include:

  • Missing required fields — Every row must include all required columns (like ExternalId and Name).
  • Wrong number of columns — Each row must have exactly the expected number of fields. Use empty values for optional fields.
  • Invalid data formats — For example, VAT numbers that don't match the expected country format.

Review the error list shown after the import, fix the issues in your CSV file, and re-import.

How do I handle commas in field values?​

Wrap any field that contains a comma in double quotes:

EXT-001,"123 Main St, Suite 4",Amsterdam

How do I handle quotes in field values?​

Use double quotes to escape quotes within a field:

EXT-001,"Company ""Nickname"" BV",Amsterdam

What about empty optional fields?​

Leave optional fields blank but keep the commas to maintain the correct column count:

EXT-001,Name,Address,City,1234,Country,,,,

My special characters are garbled after import​

Make sure your CSV file is saved in UTF-8 encoding. Most spreadsheet applications (Excel, Google Sheets) allow you to choose the encoding when exporting to CSV.

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