Bulk upload
Bulk loading data allows users to efficiently import large datasets into BioCollect. Data has to be provided in a structured Excel spreadsheet template. The template can be downloaded from the survey listings. See image below.
To ensure successful data import, follow these guidelines when filling out the Excel template:
- Use the Provided Template: Only use the official Excel spreadsheet template to enter data. If want to upload data to survey using same form in multiple projects, make sure data belonging to a project is in the respective file.
- Ensure Unique Serial Numbers: The serial number must be an unique integer for all information that belongs together. See example below.
- One Table Row Per Entry: Each activity/entry should be recorded in a separate row.
- Adding multiple rows to a table: If you like to enter data to a table, add a row below the first row. Make sure the serial number is the same as first row. Fill data in the cells that belong to the table. But leave the other cells blank. See example below.
- Species fields: Name, scientificName, commonName and guid are fields that are used to record species. You can provide data in name column only and the system will match it against ALA taxonomy. Or, you can provide all the above fields.
- Location fields: Site identifier (siteId) or Latitude and Longitude are fields to provide location data. Site identifier (siteId) column is preferred as it will link your data to a pre-defined site. You can also give latitude and longitude but this will create a new site. Hence you lose capability to track the data to a site.
- Image fields: You can add image as long as it is publicly available. You need to provide the URL to the image along with other metadata.
The provided Excel template will include columns such as:
| serial | name | table1.desc | table1.cat | table2.addInfo | location | locationLatitude | locationLongitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serial Number | Name | Description | Category | Additional Info | Site identifier (siteId) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 1001 | Item | Sample 1 | Type 1 | Optional Data 1 | 2f809516-6327-4b30-b8f0-0ad251666986 | ||
| 1001 | Sample 2 | Type 2 | Optional Data 2 | ||||
| 1001 | Optional Data 3 | ||||||
| 1001 | Optional Data 4 | ||||||
| 1002 | Item | Sample Data | Type Y | Optional Data 10 | -38.5 | 145.04 | |
| 1003 | Item | Sample 4 | Type z | Optional Data 11 | -39.5 | 145.04 |
- Serial Number: A mandatory and unique identifier.
- Name: A field recorded by the form. This is a text field. Note the blank cells after the first entry.
- Description, Category: Two attributes of table 1. In this example, serial 1001 has two rows in the table.
- Additional Info: This is an attribute of another table. In this example, serial 1001 has four rows in the table.
- Site identifier (siteId), Latitude, Longitude: Location fields. Provide site id or latitude and longitude in decimal.
- Download the provided template.
- Fill in the required fields according to the guidelines. Make sure you have a file per project.
- And, save the file.
- Send the file to ALA support.
For any issues, please contact ALA support.