Program action bulk upload FAQ

Question: Why does my file upload fail with the error that the number of columns that are provided doesn’t match the number of columns configured?

Answer: The report template extraction includes all the valid columns that are relevant to entering an action. The full set of column headers are required to successfully create or update an action. Ensure that you use the extracted report as the basis for any upload.

Question: What logic is used to validate column captions and types?

Answer: The logic cascades by considering JSON configuration in the backend, then custom fields, and then alternate captions. The three tables offer varying customization and it’s unlikely that any instance uses all three tables. From a client's perspective, system administrators can click Admin > Custom Fields to customize field captions and define custom lists in the Custom Fields page. For clients who have used Envizi ESG Suite for longer, IBM Expert Labs or IBM Business Partners might have defined custom field definitions through Alternate Captions, which can be used to control field visibility and ordering. Only IBM Expert Labs or IBM Business Partners can access the Alternate Captions through the Admin menu and also as part of a backend JSON configuration file.

Question: My Estimated Annual CO2e savings (kg CO2e) field is set to auto calculate. What happens when I bulk update actions by using this template?

Answer: If enabled, estimated CO2e savings are calculated in reports and dashboards but are not retained in system databases. The report template and upload process update the action record. If you leave the Estimated Annual CO2e savings field empty in the upload, the auto calculation continues in reports and dashboards as it does when you manually enter a record. If you enter a value as part of the upload, the value takes precedence and overwrites the auto calculation. This behavior is different from the UI experience because the field is greyed out if the auto calculation logic is in use.

Question: How do I clear a value in a field in an action?

Answer: When you update an existing action, all field values in the template are submitted to overwrite existing values. To clear a value in a field, remove its content from the template and leave it blank.

Question: My template has two fields that are related to a linked account or a meter. What is the difference between the two fields and what values are expected in each?

Answer: The first Linked Account or Meter field is used to indicate the type of the linked item, which can be either an account or a meter that is linked with the action. Acceptable values are either Accounts or Meters, where the plural 's' in each value is required. Leave the value blank if it is not linked to anything. The second Account or Serial Number field is required when a valid vale is entered in the first Linked Account or Meter field field. Acceptable values in the second Account or Serial Number are a valid account number or meter serial number, which must align with the item type in the first field and also the provided data type.