Import Schedules Using Data File Upload
This article applies to:Excise
This document applies to Excise Pro license type. Content last updated 4/7/2016.
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Download a template
Each taxpayer type within a jurisdiction has its own Excel template, containing required fields for the tax return. Here is how to retrieve a template specific to your return.
- Click the tax session line row and click Data File Upload.
- Click Download template and save it to your computer.
- The file name will reflect the taxpayer type and jurisdiction by default. You can change the file name but do not change the value in Save as type.
- Do not reformat the template cells or columns.
Import the data file
This step loads your prepared Excel or CSV file into the tax session manually from the menu option to an existing tax session. Click here to learn how to populate the import file using the Avalara template.
- Click the tax session line row and click Data File Upload.
- Click Select and navigate to the location of the import file.
- In the Avalara - Data File Upload window, select 1 of these 2 options from the drop-down menu.
- Insert All (can result in duplicates) - select this option for your initial import, or to add records to those previously imported.
- Delete all existing transactions and reload - deletes all previously imported records and loads a new file.
- When the dot next to the file is green, that means it is a valid file type and it will import. This does not mean that the file contents have been validated, only that it is an acceptable file extension, in this case CSV.
- When the dot is red, it is an invalid file type and will not import. Click Remove and select a different file. If you are using an Open Data Source version, make sure you have saved your file as .xlsx or .csv file type.
- When the dot next to the file is green, that means it is a valid file type and it will import. This does not mean that the file contents have been validated, only that it is an acceptable file extension, in this case CSV.
- Insert All (can result in duplicates) - select this option for your initial import, or to add records to those previously imported.
- Click Upload.
- You will see the message "File has been successfully uploaded".
- If you chose the wrong month or jurisdiction, it will upload successfully, but show errors. The next section details how to troubleshoot errors.
- To close the window, click X in the upper right corner.
- To track its progress, click on Go to the System Activity link in the upload window. You can also click on the main menu item Admin > System Activity to access the activity page.
- The Status column will update when the file is completed.
- The Description column of the System Activity page details how many records were successfully loaded.
Troubleshoot the file import
- Check your record count of transactions loaded against your upload file. If the file bypasses loading records to your session it means that critical field information is missing.
- Check your import file for lines with information not formatted correctly.
- The header line identifying the field columns is bypassed.
- Your tax session's grid column Critical Schedule Errors will show you if there are errors in your file.
Tax Sessions > Transactions Validation will point you to those specific line items on your transactions that have errors.
- Click here to continue on to the steps for Transactions Validation.
