In this article:
1. How to Create Cards in the Cards Workflow via Import?
2. How to Create Initiatives in the Timeline and Portfolio Workflows via import?
3. How to Create Cards on Multiple Boards at Once?
1. How to Create Cards in the Cards Workflow via Import?
When importing cards from a spreadsheet, ensure that the column names and data formats in your file match those in Businessmap. Learn more about formatting your data for a successful import.
Here are some key guidelines:
- Card IDs: Not required unless you have a Custom Card ID in place on the board.
- Workflow name: If you are importing cards to the default "Cards Workflow," you don't need to include this column. However, if you have multiple cards workflows, you need to specify the workflow name, otherwise all cards will be imported to the first one by default.
Important:
- The "Title" column is mandatory.
- Custom fields can only be updated if they are already assigned to the board.
- Ensure the column headers in your spreadsheet exactly match the custom field names you want to import in Businessmap.
2. How to Create Initiatives in the Timeline and Portfolio Workflows via import?
The system allows Timeline and Portfolio initiatives to also be imported using a spreadsheet file. When formatting the file, you need to add some additional column headers that correspond to the initiatives' properties and position, such as:
Time-related properties:
- “Planned Start”
- “Planned End”
- “Start date”
- “End Date”
Location-related properties:
- “Board name”
- “Workflow name” (you need to specify the Timeline/Portfolio workflow name)
- “Column name”* (you need to specify the past, present or future status)
- “Lane name”
- “Track” (optional**)
Notes:
1) The “Column name”* values specify if the Timeline/Portfolio Initiative is in the Past (“Done”); currently “In Progress” or not started yet “Requested”. If a “Column name” value is missing, the Initiative is created in the “Backlog.”
- To create an initiative that is “In progress,” you need to specify the Actual start date and Planned end date. The reason for this is that the Initiative needs an actual start date to be considered “in progress.”
- To create an initiative in “Requested,” you need to specify the Planned Start and Planned End fields.
The allowed date formats are: MM/DD/YYYY, DD-MM-YYYY, YYYY-MM-DD
2) The “Track”** number specifies the Timeline track where your new Initiative should be created.
- If the track number is not specified, the new Initiative will be created in the next available track.
- Note that the system considers if there is a limit on the number of tracks. All concurrent initiatives which exceed the track limit will not be created and there will be an explanation for this via email.
- Track numbers start from "0." For example, if your timeline has three tracks, use "0" for the first, "1" for the second, and "2" for the third.
You can also create links between work items through the import. Learn about linking cards/initiatives together via import.
3. How to Create Cards on Multiple Boards at Once?
To create cards on multiple boards via import, you can use one of the following properties:
1) The "Board ID" Column
Add a column labeled "Board ID" in your spreadsheet. Input the respective Board ID for each card. After the import, the cards will be created in the corresponding boards. If you omit or leave this column blank, all items will be added to the board from which you initiated the import.
Note: You can find the Board ID by checking the URL in your browser’s address bar or by hovering over the board name in the Dashboard.
2) The "Board Name" Column
Alternatively, you can create a column labeled "Board Name" and enter the respective board names. If omitted, all cards will default to the board from which you execute the import.
Important: If two boards share the same name, you will get an error during the import.
Learn about updating cards and initiatives through import.