Overview

This article provides an overview of how to use the CSV data import feature for naturalForms on your device.

How it Works

You can choose to automatically populate data onto individual documents using a .csv file, decreasing the time to complete each document. These files can easily be created in Excel. To import data, you will open an email on the device containing an attached .csv file with data for one or more documents.

Each row in the .csv file represents an individual document, and must contain the $TEMPLATEID and the $DOCUMENTNAME. Each additional column has a header for a field or sheet variable which is present on the document. Data for the individual field or sheet variable is specified in that column.

An example of the .csv input is shown below:

Note: the first two values on top row must be in all CAPS.

When you click on the .csv attachment in your e-mail, an option appears to open the attachment in naturalForms. After successful login, the data automatically populates onto the documents specified in the .csv file.

Based on the example above, one document would be created in naturalForms for the template with an ID of 88000012. The document would be named Test Document, and the Last Name field would be populated with “Smith.” The sheet variable Company Name would be populated with ABC Company.

You can view the populated data by opening the individual document. Sheet variable data appears in green and cannot be changed. Field data appears in blue and is editable. Once the data has populated, you can proceed with using naturalForms normally.

Creating a .CSV File in Excel

Open Excel. To import data, the top row of the Excel file must have column headers for the template name, document name, and each field and sheet variable.
The header for the first column MUST be $TEMPLATEID. The TemplateID is the numerical identifier for the template.

Open Excel. To import data, the top row of the Excel file must have column headers for the template name, document name, and each field and sheet variable to be pre-populated
The header for the first column MUST be $TEMPLATEID. The TemplateID is the numerical identifier for the template.
The header for the second column MUST be $DOCUMENTNAME. The Document Name refers to the name which naturalForms assigns to the created document.
Add column headers for the field and sheet variable names. These headers MUST match the assigned field and sheet variable names assigned in naturalForms.
Note: You can find the assigned field or variable names by selecting the field/variable in naturalForms and pressing the i button for the Field Details.
Confirm that the column headers for the field names and sheet variables are unique on the spreadsheet.
Complete your spreadsheet with the appropriate data for the TemplateID(s), Instance Name(s), field(s), and sheet variable(s).
Note: You can find the Template ID by selecting any field on the template in naturalForms and pressing the i button for the Field Details. Scroll down for the Template ID.
Save the file as a .csv file. Email the .csv file to an address that can be accessed on the device running naturalForms.

Email the .csv to the tablet where the pre-population will take place.

Populating Documents in naturalForms

Press, hold, and release the .csv file attachment in the email. A menu will appear with the option of opening the .csv file in naturalForms.
Select the option to open the .csv file in naturalForms. The naturalForms login screen will appear if you are not already logged in.
Log into naturalForms if needed. You will see the e-form instance(s) which were setup in the .csv file.
Open the document(s) and verify that the pre-populated data are correct. That’s it! You can now continue using naturalForms normally.