Introduction to Datasheets

What are datasheets and how can I use them in my templates?

Lorraine avatar
Written by Lorraine
Updated over a week ago

Avvoka’s Datasheets functionality enables users to create a database at a profile or organisation level (depending on what admin rights a user has). Users can define custom column names and add a new row (or record) of data. Datasheets can then be used to create a dropdown list of answer options within the Questionnaire and several dependencies can be configured for other questionnaire items. Users can also configure dependencies across different Datasheets.

Avvoka already has a concept of lists and dependent lists, which allows users to upload data that will be held at a profile or organisation level that can subsequently be surfaced when generating documents. The new Datasheet concept expands upon this, allowing users to create, upload and maintain a mini database with custom column names.

To access Datasheets, as an Onboard user, click on the “Templates” tab and navigate to the sidebar on the left. Click on the “Data” tab and then click on “Datasheets”.

You will then be brought to a menu for Datasheets. To create a new Datasheet, select the "Add new datasheet" button on the top right. You should now see the following menu.

Then, fill in the name and relevant headers required for the Datasheet. “Headings” refer to the names of the columns in your Datasheet. Headings can be set using the “Add new header” button.

Then, customise the “Input Type” of the Headers and decide whether they are required fields. This will allow you to specify what type of input types you will accept as values under each Header. For example, users that add a new record under a Header will be able to simply add text or to select from a dropdown list, or a date, or only include numbers. Marking a Header as “Required” will make it compulsory for you to add a value under that Header every time a new record is created.

Once you have finished customising the relevant headers, click “Create Datasheet”. You will then return to the Datasheet menu and should see your created Datasheet at the top of the list. Click into your created Datasheet and you should be brought to this menu.

Click the “upload” button to upload records to this Datasheet from a CSV . If your .csv file contains headers that you have not previously added to the Datasheet header list, you can click the “Automatically create missing headers” tickbox to automatically add those headers. Those missing headers will be added to the Datasheet header list upon the upload of the .csv file. If that option is not selected, the system will reject .csv files that do not have headers that correspond to the Datasheet.

Once the file has been uploaded, press the Import button.

Make sure you are saving your file as a CSV one, as shown below. For this you can click "Save as" and then select the right format CSV UTF-8 (Comma delimited).

Your Datasheet will then be imported into the Avvoka Datasheet as shown below.

Alternatively, you can also manually add records by clicking the "Add new record" button and providing the various values.

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