I’m having an issue with the date format for Bulk Uploads. How do I fix this?

If you're experiencing issues with the date format for Bulk Uploads in Sherpa, follow these steps to ensure the correct format (yyyy-mm-dd) is used:

1. Understand the Required Format:

   • The required format for date fields in the Standard Bulk Upload tool is yyyy-mm-dd. This format is an international standard designed to minimise ambiguity.
     
     

2. Avoid Automatic Reformatting in Excel:

   • When editing CSV files in Microsoft Excel, Excel may automatically reformat dates based on your system settings. This can cause the date format to change from yyyy-mm-dd to another format, which will prevent successful import into Sherpa.
     
     

3. Steps to Maintain Correct Format:

   • Open your CSV file in Excel.
   • Locate the columns containing date fields.
   • Select the ready_at_date column.
     
     
     
   • Right-click and choose "Format Cells" from the context menu.
     
     
     
     
   • In the "Format Cells" dialog box, go to the "Number" tab.
   • Select "Custom" from the category list.
     
     
     
   • In the "Type" field, enter yyyy-mm-dd.
   • Click "OK" to apply the format.
     
     

4. Save and Re-import:

   • After adjusting the date format, save the CSV file.
   • Ensure that the date format remains yyyy-mm-dd when you reopen the CSV file.
   • Import the corrected CSV file into Sherpa using the Bulk Upload tool.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your date fields are formatted correctly for bulk uploads in Sherpa, allowing for smooth and error-free data import.