Format

If data is to be uploaded then it must be a text file of a specific format. Don't worry it is not complicated. We have opted for a very simple comma separated value (CSV) format.

Comma Separated Value (CSV)

CSV files are text files.

The values within them are separated by commas.

The first row contains the column headings (or field names)

Every row beneath contains a value for the field identified in the first line.

Values should be contained within double quotes i.e. "£1,000" to avoid commas in the data messing up the structure.

Creating a CSV file

These text files can be created with any popular spreadsheet package such as Excel, or in a simple text editor like Notepad. Please don't use Word it will probably save a load of extra rubbish in the file.

CSV files can be exported from all database products. So you could ask your IT department to export a CSV file for you (based on one of our formats). Remember to tell them about the double quotes " around the field values.

Support Formats

We support Summary CSV formats - which contain the code of region followed by the number of sales etc for that region.

We support a flexible record level CSV format too.

Sample Files

The following are examples of formats supported

Postcode Area Sample Data is an example of the Postcode area data in the Summary CSV format.

Postcode District Sample Data is an example of the Postcode district data in the Summary CSV format.

Postcode Sector Sample Data is an example of the Postcode sector data in the Summary CSV format.

Postcode Level Sample Data is an example of the postcode data in the record level format.

Customer Sample Data is an example of the customer data in the record level format.

Order Sample Data is an example of the sales data in the record level format.