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Beeswing77
June 12, 2023
Solved

Excel Template upload - Data Source setup

  • June 12, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 4 views

Hi All,

I'm trying to set up some Excel templates for the uploading Budget and Forecast data.  I'm pretty happy with the Excel Template side, with the named range (XFD),  and specific header formats, etc.

However,  I'm a bit lost on the Data Source set up,  I get that you have to Allow Dynamic Excel Loads set to True, but what about the rest of the set up?  Do I choose Delimited or Fixed file?  It feels like this Data Source section is really for flat files, as it always wants to know the column number.

I've tried importing the Excel into the Data Source in the same way I would for a csv file,  but it just shows up as xml gibberish in the top box.  It definitely feels like I'm missing something.

    Best answer by AlexD

    Hi,

    I use delimited (but I'm not sure if it matters, tbh). It sounds like you know how to set up a data source for csv, so forget everything you know and do none of it...

    Make a blank data source, ignore what you'd normally do for mapping the columns (you just don't do it). Make sure to set this: Allow Dynamic Excel Loads = True (as you noted). That is it!

    Add this pathetic shadow of a data source to your wf import channel and pretend that you did lot's of hard work on the data source (the truth is that you did all the column mapping in excel already).

    Best,

    Alex

    3 replies

    C
    ckattookaran
    June 12, 2023

    You don't do anything there. It is just there, all the mapping is done in your EXCEL file.

    N
    NickHymes
    June 12, 2023

    Hi Beeswing77,

     

    If you are trying to have that excel template upload automatically to Onestream. You will need to write columns and rows that contain XFsetCell references utilizing the Onestream excel add in. Once that is complete. The data will write to each dimension within Onestream automatically.

     

    Alternatively, if you are uploading this excel sheet via a workflow step. You will need to set up the data source appropriately and any transformations rules that will apply. Is your file broken out by columns? Make it a delimited file to dynamically call upon each column. If not you can select a line of text and map that to each dimension and use bypasses to filter out data you dont need like dates, times, etc.

     

    Hope this helps!

     

    Nick Hymes

    Archetype Consulting

    A
    AlexDAnswer
    June 14, 2023

    Hi,

    I use delimited (but I'm not sure if it matters, tbh). It sounds like you know how to set up a data source for csv, so forget everything you know and do none of it...

    Make a blank data source, ignore what you'd normally do for mapping the columns (you just don't do it). Make sure to set this: Allow Dynamic Excel Loads = True (as you noted). That is it!

    Add this pathetic shadow of a data source to your wf import channel and pretend that you did lot's of hard work on the data source (the truth is that you did all the column mapping in excel already).

    Best,

    Alex

    S
    skyzak22
    March 25, 2026

    Alex, I found your solution helpful, but I have a question. When I create this blank data source as a delimited file, do I have to convert my source file that I am uploading as a csv, or am I supposed to load the original .xlsx file in my workflow? When I tried to follow your solution, I loaded the .xlsx file in my wf and the progress bar went to 100%, but no data showed up in the import screen. I am mostly confident in my excel file and the named range and headers.

    A
    AlexD
    March 26, 2026

    Hi, it has to be .xlsx the named range needs this format. Perhaps check you have covered all of the dimensions off in your excel load file. You'll need a legitimate PoV to load to, a transformation rule profile needs to be attached to the import channel,  the period will need to be unlocked, also check you're not conflicting with any constraints that might exist on those dimensions. Also security would be something to check, but i'm assuming you are admin... If you are really struggling, make a normal data source and load a plain old .csv into it. If it works it is likely something on the excel file. I hope that helps.

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