Importing data

If you have existing data in spreadsheets or other systems, VPMHR supports CSV imports for:

  • Projects
  • Resources
  • Groups
  • Programs
  • Strategic Themes

Each Maintenance Mode page includes a link to its import wizard.

The import process

Importing follows a four-step wizard:

Step 1 – Upload your file

Select a CSV file from your computer (maximum 2MB). A downloadable template is available for each entity type so you can see the expected format. Your CSV should include a header row with column names.

Step 2 – Map your columns

VPMHR attempts to automatically match your CSV column headers to database fields using fuzzy matching. Each match shows a confidence percentage. You can override any automatic mapping using the dropdown selectors, or leave a column unmapped if you don’t need it.

For fields that reference other entities (e.g., a Group name on a Project import), the system translates text values to the correct internal references.

Step 3 – Preview and validate

A preview shows the first few rows of your data as VPMHR will interpret them. The system validates every row and reports any errors – for example, missing required fields, duplicate names, or values that don’t match expected options. You’ll see a count of valid vs invalid rows.

If there are errors, you can download an error report, fix your CSV, and re-upload.

Step 4 – Import

Only valid rows are imported. The system confirms how many records were created and reports any that were skipped. Your data is available immediately after import.

Tips for clean imports

  • Use the downloadable templates as a starting point
  • Make sure required fields are populated (e.g., Project name, Resource first and last name)
  • For picklist values like Stage or Impact, use the exact text labels (e.g., “Planning”, “High”)
  • For Group or Program assignments, use the exact names as they appear in VPMHR
  • Remove any blank rows from your CSV before uploading
  • The import wizard ignores any row containing “DELETE THIS ROW BEFORE UPLOADING” (used in templates as guidance)