When creating new records by importing a spreadsheet it is important that the information in your spreadsheet is transferred correctly to your applications. 

Certain field types, like multi-select field, date field, linked record, and more, require a few extra steps to insure that they are imported correctly (to learn how to import stock visit this page).

Fields with multiple preset options (select, multi select, checkbox, multiple choice, units)

When importing values that correspond to fields with preset options (like select, checkbox, etc.), you should always make sure that the values in your spreadsheet and the values in your application have the same spelling (e.g., Amp vs Ampicillin vs amp for antibiotic resistance values) so that the system can import them correctly.

In case of a Multi-select fields or Multiple choice field where you have more than one value for each field (e.g., multiple antibiotic resistance for Ampicillin and Kanamycin in a vector), the system will ask you to choose a separator for the values in your spreadsheet so it can separate and import the different values correctly. Values in your spreadsheet can be separated by a space, comma, semicolon, colon, slash, or pipe (vertical bar).

Date and date-time field

When importing dates, you will be asked to define the format in which the dates appear in your spreadsheet. The system will also show you examples of dates as they appear on your spreadsheet to help with this task.

To define your format just select the correct option for year, month, day, and separator one by one from the dropdown menu, in the same order as they appear in your spreadsheet. Your selection will appear under the dropdown menu as you go.

Contacts, linked records, and location field

When importing values that correspond to existing records in Plugg (like your contacts, linked records, or storage locations) the system will ask you to enter both the name and the system ID of the value. This is made easier by using Plugg's template for import, as the system will automatically includes columns for the system ID of certain fields.

  • To locate the system ID of a contact (e.g., lab member or other collaborator):
    • Open the Contacts app
    • Click on the contact name
    • The system id is located at the bottom of the page
  • To locate the system ID of a record:
    • Open the record
    • Click on the info button
    • The system ID id located towards the bottom of the panel (note that the App ID is not the system ID of the record)
  • To locate the system ID of a location:
    • Open the Storage app
    • Right-click on the location
    • Click on Copy System ID

Note: the system IDs we refer to in this article are the Universally Unique Identifiers (UUIDs) generated by the system (composed of 20+ alphanumeric characters), not the system IDs designed by the user for certain apps.

Link/URL field

When importing link/url always make sure that you are importing a complete and valid url (e.g., https://google.com and not www.google.com).

Switch field

The switch field can only accept two values:

  • True = switch is on
  • False = switch is off