Import of data into the portal

General procedure

A record is read from the input source file located in the import folder of the Zope instance. The data format is validated against the import data layout selected. If the record can be imported, it is appended to the file [layout]_imported.csv (in the same folder), otherwise it is inserted into the file [layout]_pending.csv, if no record with exactly the same data already exists. Technically speaking, the md5-digests of the new record is being compared with the existing records.

The report files have five additional columns: import_mode, imported_by (the member who did the import), import_date, import_from (input source file name) and error (error message). The pending file can be edited and re-imported by selecting 'pending data only'.

There following import modes are recognized: edit, create and remove. The latter deletes the whole record. This mode is available for course results only.

Single fields can be cleared in edit mode by inserting 'XXX' in the respective field. Empty fields are ignored.

The import form

Filename:Select the file to be imported. This selct box shows all csv files in the import folder
Import Layout:Select the data layout of the import file.

If the button Bypass QueueCatalog is shown, click it!

Click "Import" to start the import.

Verdicts import

The import csv file must have one of these headlines:

student_id, current_session, current_level, current_verdict

matric_no, current_session, current_level, current_verdict

student_id,matric_no, current_session, current_level, current_verdict
student_id:the id of the student
matric_no:The student's matriculation number. If student_id and matric_no are specified, it is checked, if the student_id and matric_no belong to the same student.
current_session:
 The session key (e.g. 6) or session string (e.g. 2006/2007) the verdict refers to.
current_level:The level key the verdict refers to. On probation levels must be specified as level number + 10 or +20 (e.g. 110 for students on first probation).
current_verdict:
 The verdict key from the vocabulary verdicts.

Example file:

matric_no, current_session, current_level,current_verdict
MGS0602342,06,200,B
MGS0602346,06,200,A
MGS0602350,06,200,B
MGS0602360,06,200,A
MGS0602375,06,200,B
MGS0602388,06,200,A
MGS0602390,06,200,A
MGS0603494,06,200,B

Logging messages

Start message


Successful import message


Unsuccessful import message


Commit message


Final message


Error messages in verdicts.pending