Back to the basics: What is data onboarding, and why can’t you import that CSV?

Getting all kinds of different data files and file types into your system can be a painful challenge, but you need to make it happen if you want to drive the health and success of your business.?Data file exchange?is the solution that can help you solve that problem. But when you're talking about importing data files, there are many related use cases across different industries, all using similar (but different) terms, and we know that can be confusing!

Some people talk about "data integration" or "data collection," while others might discuss "data onboarding" and simply "CSV import." Because we work with people across so many industries, we like to go back to the basics every so often to make sure that you understand the key terms we're using and the common challenges that everyone faces when moving data files from one place to another.

So, let's talk about it! What is data onboarding? What’s a CSV file? And why are you having such a hard time importing them? Read on to find out.

The complete guide to data onboarding

Data onboarding, sometimes called "data migration," "data upload," or "data import," is all about collecting, uploading, matching and validating customer data for use in a product. Data must be brought into the new software solution and made readily available so customers can use the product. Unless your software is for brand-new businesses (a website builder for first-time e-commerce store owners, for example), you have to onboard customer data before you can truly onboard the customer.

Let's say you built a new SaaS platform. Congratulations! It's a hit, and your new customers are excited to use it. However, a software application is just an empty box until data is ingested into the product. Without the necessary data inside that software, your customers can't get much value. For many types of solutions, they won't be able to achieve anything at all until that data is actually usable.?

Data onboarding is the process of importing customer data into a product and it's a critical part of the customer onboarding experience, as is customer onboarding, which is the process of helping new customers using a new product or service improve their success rates. Industries such as marketing, HR, manufacturing, healthcare, and e-commerce usually provide customers new to their software products with onboarding, including data onboarding.

Find out how data onboarding works, who handles it, the key elements of an effective data onboarding strategy, common tools and resources and more.

What is a CSV?

“CSV” refers to the CSV file extension, meaning any file that ends in ".csv." The .csv file extension stands for "comma-separated value” file, and it's one of the most common outputs for any spreadsheet program. Its simplicity has led to its adoption by so many programs that few software developers want to stray from CSVs with a different file format when exporting spreadsheet data. Some programs will give you the option of exporting CSV or PDF, such as Gusto's custom report builder, but when it comes to spreadsheet data, a CSV export is the most common file format.

A comma-separated value file refers to a file where the data is input as data separated by commas. Spreadsheet applications convert those comma-separated pieces of data into cells in tables to make them easier to read and edit.?

A CSV is a commonly used file extension for spreadsheets. Even software programs that don't look and feel like a spreadsheet application frequently offer a CSV file type as an output file for downloading a dataset (like a contact list, a supply list or a report of results or actions). Why? Because CSVs are incredibly easy to edit and share!

In this post, we dive into what (exactly) a CSV file type is, how they're used in different software applications and how to create, edit, export and import them.

Here’s everything you need to know about what a CSV file is and how it works.

Why you can't import data from that CSV file (and what you can do about it)

Having trouble uploading a CSV? You're not alone! Even the most seasoned professionals occasionally hit an error when uploading data files. There are a number of reasons your CSV file might not be uploading properly, but some of them are very common, and most of them are fairly easy to fix.

To understand why your CSV file document isn't properly uploading into the software you're using, you need to begin with an understanding of the CSV and its structure. Understanding the basic data structure parts of a CSV file will make it easier to identify the problem.

The good news is that most CSV data import errors fall into a few basic categories. Mismatched headers or unexpected values, for example, are some of the most common issues that stop CSV file imports. Let's dive into the CSV file data structure, import process and the most common problems you might face so that you can troubleshoot your data file import.

Find out why you can't import data from that CSV file (and what you can do about it).

There's a critical missing piece in most integration architectures that common ETL systems don't solve. Download our in-depth ebook to find out how you can avoid data errors, reduce unnecessary data import costs and accelerate data availability and decision-making.