Import Data
How to bulk import entities and data points into Darwin
Import Data
Darwin supports bulk data import via CSV and Excel files. This is useful for migrating existing data or entering large datasets efficiently.
Download Templates
Before importing, download the appropriate template:
- Navigate to the relevant section (Org. Units, Sites, or All Data Points)
- Click the Import button
- Download the template file
Import Entities
Entity Template Format
| Column | Required | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
name | Yes | Entity name | "Europe Division" |
type | Yes | Entity type | "org_unit", "site" |
parent | No | Parent entity name | "ACME Corp" |
revenue | No | Revenue in m€ | 50 |
scope | No | 1 or 3 | 1 |
labels | No | Comma-separated tags | "Business Unit, Europe" |
Site-Specific Columns
| Column | Required | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
site_type | Yes (for sites) | Type of site | "Factory or powerhouse" |
address | Yes (for sites) | Full address | "123 Main St, Paris, France" |
latitude | No | GPS latitude | 48.8566 |
longitude | No | GPS longitude | 2.3522 |
If you provide an address, Darwin will automatically geocode it. Alternatively, provide latitude/longitude for precise positioning.
Site Type Values
Use these exact values for the site_type column:
Offices
Warehouse
Shop
Factory or powerhouse
Low-input Agriculture
High-input Agriculture
Construction
Mining
Oil & Gas (land-based)
Oil & Gas (marine)
Wind Energy
Solar Energy
Hydropower
Restoration Projects
Managed Forests
Unspecified
Import Data Points
Data Point Template Format
| Column | Required | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
label | Yes | Descriptive name | "Steel procurement" |
value | Yes | Numeric value | 1000000 |
unit | Yes | Measurement unit | "kg" |
entity | Yes | Related entity name | "Paris Factory" |
scope | Yes | 1 or 3 | 3 |
type | No | Data type | "Product/Materials" |
subtype | No | Subtype | "Procurement" |
process | No | ecoinvent process name | "steel, low-alloyed (RoW)" |
Supported Units
| Category | Units |
|---|---|
| Mass | kg, t, g, lb, oz |
| Area | m², ha, km², acre |
| Volume | m³, L, gal |
| Energy | kWh, MJ, GJ, BTU |
| Emissions | kg CO₂ Eq, t CO₂ Eq |
| Currency | €, $ |
Import Process
Prepare Your File
Fill in the template with your data. Ensure:
- Required columns are populated
- Entity names match exactly (case-sensitive)
- Units are spelled correctly
Upload the File
- Click Import in the relevant view
- Select your CSV or Excel file
- Click Upload
Review Mappings
Darwin will show a preview of how your data will be imported:
- Green rows: Ready to import
- Yellow rows: Warnings (check values)
- Red rows: Errors (must fix)
Confirm Import
Review the preview and click Confirm to import your data.
Common Issues
Entity Not Found
Error: "Parent entity not found"
Solution: Ensure the parent entity exists before importing child entities. Import in order: Root → Org. Units → Sites.
Unit Not Recognized
Error: "Unknown unit: kilogram"
Solution: Use standard abbreviations (kg, not kilogram). Check the units reference above.
Duplicate Entries
Warning: "Entity already exists"
Solution: Choose to update existing entries or skip duplicates during import.
Import operations are logged. You can review import history in the activity log.
Best Practices
- Start Small: Test with a few rows before importing large datasets
- Validate First: Check your file for errors before uploading
- Match Names Exactly: Entity names must match existing entries precisely
- Use Templates: Always start from the provided template
- Backup: Export your current data before large imports
Export Data
To export your current data:
- Navigate to the relevant view
- Click Export to CSV (if available)
- The file will download with all current entries
This is useful for:
- Backing up your data
- Editing in bulk in Excel
- Sharing with team members
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