In this article, we'll cover how to batch upload tasks. You can also watch our video linked in this article here.
Getting Started:
First, make sure the tasks are formatted correctly. Please use the Batch Uploading Template HERE. You will need to download and save the template on your own device in order to make edits to the document.
Your file will need to be a CSV format in order to upload. Try saving your excel file as .csv or, if using Google Sheets, download as .csv.
It's important you check the following items are correct in your file before uploading:
Addresses: It is important these are accurate addresses! Your addresses will be validated against Google Maps
Products: Names must match EXACTLY what is within PINATA (including spacing and capitalization). If a task has multiple products, please make sure each product is in a separate column.
Task Owner: This is an optional field. If you want to add owners, names must match exactly what is within PINATA. If you do not select a task owner, your name will auto populate across all tasks you upload.
Once the Batch Uploading Template is Complete:
When you have filled in your template, login to PINATA + click New in the status bar.
Next, select the program you want to upload tasks to. Once the program is selected click the Batch Upload button. You must complete an upload for each program. Programs can have different products, activities etc. The Batch Upload button will be grey and non-selectable until you select a program.
Below is a picture of the "Batch Upload" button before a program has been selected:
After a program is selected the "Batch Upload" button becomes selectable. See picture below for reference:
Once you've done that you'll see the batch uploader appear. Click where it says "Drag & Drop" and you can select the CSV file to upload from your computer.
Once you've added your document you can now begin filling out the batch uploader on the left hand side.
Select from the file that you have uploaded or choose the field name directly from your PINATA dashboard. Remember, if selecting from the CSV that you are uploading, the field name spelling must EXACTLY match what is currently on your PINATA dashboard. You can also choose the field name directly from your PINATA dashboard by selecting from the "Select from PINATA" dropdown. The left hand side will look something like below!
Watch our walk-through video below!
You will be filling out the fields below:
Activity - You can upload these but make sure the Activity name appears exactly as it does on PINATA. You can also select from PINATA and search for the activity name. If you have multiple Activities it's probably best to do multiple uploads.
Products - Select the column dropdown & the column name with the first product. If the tasks have multiple products select "Add another column" and then select the next column with a product in it. Repeat until you have all the necessary columns.
If you select a product column and it does not populate the bottom half of the uploader most likely the name is incorrect. Go into the program overview and search for the product name copy and paste it exactly as it appears on PINATA into your sheet and you'll have to download it once more and start again.
If the product is not in the program, you'll need to add it.
You can also leave this field blank and add the products to tasks individually on the dashboard by editing the Task as you wish after the batch upload has been completed.
Google Location - Select your address Column. Scroll up & down the lower half of the uploader to see if any are missing. If any addresses are missing, it may not match what is on Google Maps. You will need to edit that address before uploading.
TIP: If your addresses and place names span multiple columns, you can add multiple ‘sources’ to the ‘Google Location’ lookup section. You can do this by selecting to add source.
Location Name - Select the relevant column or choose directly from the PINATA platform by selecting "Select from PINATA" and choosing the location name.
Saved Location - The account names must match EXACTLY to what is listed within your PINATA saved locations.
Scheduled Date - Select the Date Column, ensure it is in MM/DD/YYYY format
Start Time - Make sure it has AM/PM or is in 24HR format.
End Time - Make sure it has AM/PM or is in 24HR format.
Task Partner - Select Choose Column and search for the partner name. If you have multiple partners it’s best to upload them separately. You can also choose the task partner directly from PINATA by selecting "Select from PINATA".
TIP: The task partner must be a workspace if you are a Power Agency managing your own clients on PINATA.
More People Fields:
Assigned User - Leave this field blank if a partner will be staffing these tasks. If you are staffing these tasks, you will need to enter the user's email for the task (row in your completed template) you would like to assign them.
Assigned User Pay Rate - Assign a user pay rate directly to this group of Tasks by selecting "Choose Column" or "Select from PINATA. If you do not have an assigned user pay rate leave this field blank.
Task Owner/Contact - This will be the task owner. Use "Choose Column" to select a name. You can also choose an owner directly from the PINATA platform by selecting from the "Select from PINATA" dropdown.
More Timing Fields:
Deadline Start - Instead of scheduling a task on a specific date, you can choose to create a Deadline task. Choose this option if the assigned user should self-schedule within at time window that you specify. You can choose the date directly from a calendar by selecting the "Select from PINATA" dropdown.
Deadline End - Instead of scheduling a task on a specific date, you can choose to create a Deadline task. Choose this option if the assigned user should self-schedule within at time window that you specify. You can choose the date directly from a calendar by selecting the "Select from PINATA" dropdown.
Duration (Hours) - Select Column if needed.
More Detail Fields:
Task Title - Select Column if needed. You also have the ability to type directly in these fields.
Task Details/Notes - This section will show up as the Task Details + Description across all batch uploaded tasks. Select Column if needed. You also have the ability to type directly in these fields.
Partner Note - Select Column if needed. You can also have the ability to type directly in these fields.
Expense Policy - Select Column if needed. You can also have the ability to type directly in these fields.
That's it! Hit Upload! Any failed ones will be available to download with a failure reason. Remember to double check activities, product names, owner names & addresses. The most common failure is that the addresses entered in the document did not match Google's location database. Everything in the sheet must match what's on PINATA. Please reach out to support@gopinata.com if you have any questions or concerns!