Import data

Import data to add, update, and structure records in Ninox.

Use imports to bring CSV data into an app without entering records manually.

You can only import data into a table if you have write permission for that table.

You can import data in two ways:

• into an existing table

• into a new table that Ninox creates from the file

During import, you control how Ninox reads the file and where each column goes. This includes:

• choosing whether to insert new records, update existing records, or do both

• checking parse settings such as encoding, separators, and date formats

• mapping CSV columns to existing Ninox fields or creating new fields

• previewing the result before you import anything

What you can control during import

The import dialog lets you decide how Ninox reads the file and how each CSV column is handled.

Two areas matter most:

• Parse settings control how Ninox reads the file format.

• Map fields control where the CSV data goes in Ninox.

Parse settings

In Parse settings, you define how Ninox reads the import file.

Start by choosing how Ninox should handle the records:

• Update only updates existing records

• Insert only adds new records

• Update & insert updates existing records and adds new ones

Then check the file format options:

• Encoding defines the character set, such as UTF-8 (Unicode)

• Date format defines how Ninox reads date values

• Number format defines how Ninox reads decimal and thousands separators

• Column separator defines how columns are separated, such as comma, semicolon, or tabulator

• Text delimiter defines which quotation marks wrap text values

You can also control two import details:

• Include header tells Ninox that the first row contains column names

• Treat empty fields as null imports empty values as null. This means the field has no value. It is not an empty text value and not the number 0. Use this option when empty cells should stay unset after import.

Use the preview on the right to check whether Ninox reads the file correctly.

The preview also uses color labels to show what will happen during import:

• New shows records that Ninox will add

• Updated shows records that Ninox will change

• Removed shows records that will be removed from the result set during import preview

• Unchanged shows records that stay the same

Map fields

In Map fields, Ninox shows one row for each CSV column. Use the Import toggle to decide whether Ninox should import that column at all. If the toggle is off, Ninox skips the column. In CSV fields, you see the column names from the CSV file. In Existing ninox fields, you choose what Ninox should do with each CSV column. You can:

• select Do not map to ignore the column

• select an existing Ninox field to import the values into that field

• select + Create field to create a new field for that column

If you select an existing Ninox field, Ninox maps the CSV column to that field.

In this case, you can also choose an Update policy:

• Update replaces the existing value

• Update empty fills only empty values

If you select + Create field, Ninox adds a second selector below it. Use that selector to choose the field type, such as Text.

Import data into an existing table

Use this flow when the table already exists.

1

Open the import dialog

Open the table in Table view. In the toolbar, click Import/export. Then click Import data.

2

Upload your file

Drag your CSV file into the import dialog. Or select the file from your local device.

3

Review parse settings

Choose how Ninox should read the file.

Start with the import mode:

• Insert only adds new records

• Update only changes existing records

• Update & insert does both

Then check these options:

• Encoding, such as UTF-8 (Unicode)

• Date format

• Number format

• Column separator

• Text delimiter

• Include header

• Treat empty fields as null

Use the preview on the right to verify the result.

4

Map the file columns

Open Map fields.

For each CSV column, choose the matching existing field. You can also:

• turn off Import to skip a column

• create a new field if needed

• choose an update policy for mapped fields

Use Update to replace existing values. Use Update empty to fill only empty values.

5

Import the records

Check the preview one last time. Then click Import records.

Create a new table from CSV

Use this flow when the table does not exist yet.

1

Start a new table import

In the app navigation, click the arrow next to + Create table. Choose Import table from CSV.

2

Upload your file

Upload your CSV file. Ninox opens the import dialog.

3

Review table details and parse settings

Check the suggested Table name. Check the suggested Internal name. Then review the same parse settings as in the existing table import.

4

Map the fields

Open Map fields. For each CSV column, either create a new field or map it to an existing field. If you create a new field, choose the field type.

5

Create the table

Review the preview. Then click Create table.