Automate CSV File Imports to SharePoint

Integrating legacy systems and line of business applications with modern platforms like SharePoint is a frequent challenge faced by organizations during digital transformation. Even though modern technologies such as REST APIs and cloud-based connectors have simplified some aspects of data integration, many older applications still do not support these modern protocols. In such cases, CSV (Comma-Separated Values) or TSV (Tab-Separated Values) files become the most practical option for exporting and importing structured data.

In this article, we explore how to leverage these simple data formats for integration, and more importantly, how Infowise Ultimate Forms - specifically the Import component - can transform a complex, manual process into a seamless, automated solution.

Challenges with Legacy System Integration

The Limitations of Older Systems

Many legacy systems were built before the rise of web APIs and cloud interoperability standards. As a result, these systems often lack built-in support for modern data exchange methods such as RESTful APIs or direct database connections. This limitation can slow down integration efforts or force organizations to invest in expensive middleware solutions.

Reliance on Text-Based Data Export

CSV and TSV files offer a lifeline in these scenarios. These text-based formats are universally supported and easy to generate. However, while generating the files is relatively straightforward, importing them into SharePoint in a meaningful and automated way presents its own set of challenges.

Organizations often resort to manual imports or custom scripts that require ongoing maintenance, increasing the complexity of managing SharePoint lists. For those seeking a more scalable and user-friendly solution, Infowise provides a robust toolset.

Introducing Import by Infowise

Part of the Ultimate Forms Suite

Infowise Ultimate Forms is a comprehensive suite of no-code tools built specifically for SharePoint. Among its many components, Import stands out for its ability to automate data imports into SharePoint from a wide variety of sources.

Import supports importing data from emails, databases, web services, SMS text messages, and also CSV and TSV text files. This makes it an essential tool for bridging the gap between modern SharePoint environments and legacy applications that only support flat-file exports.

Seamless Import from Accessible Locations

To use Import, your CSV or TSV file must be stored in a location accessible via a URL. This can be a SharePoint document library, a standard web server, or even a file hosted on a third-party platform. Authentication is supported, so protected resources can also be accessed securely.

Automated Import Profiles

Import works by allowing you to define "import profiles." These profiles dictate how often to poll for new files, how to read and interpret the data, and what actions to take once data is extracted. This configuration can run quietly in the background without human intervention.

For example, a healthcare organization exporting patient discharge summaries nightly to a shared server can schedule Import to retrieve and process those files automatically, updating or creating SharePoint list items accordingly.

How the Import Process Works

Data Recognition and Mapping

When a CSV or TSV file is accessed, Import reads its contents and attempts to interpret each column. It uses the first row of actual data (not headers) to infer the data type: text, number, or date. You can either designate the first row as column names or let Import assign temporary names like col1, col2, etc.

Using a feature called "Actions," you can then map these columns to SharePoint list fields. This allows you to:

• Create new SharePoint list items

• Update existing items

• Perform synchronization (create or update as necessary)

Data Update Logic

Normally, Import relies on a "Last Updated" column to determine which records are new or changed. However, in the case of flat files, this may not be available or practical. The tool is designed to handle such cases by assuming the entire file should be reprocessed each time, which is ideal for workflows where a new file completely replaces the previous dataset.

Data Transformation Capabilities

One of the most powerful aspects of Import is its ability to transform data on the fly. With built-in functions, you can:

• Combine multiple columns into one SharePoint column

• Perform mathematical calculations

• Reformat dates or strings

• Apply conditional logic

This means your imported data does not need to match the SharePoint list format perfectly. You can shape and mold it during the import process, removing the need for upstream data preparation.

Why Infowise Ultimate Forms Is the Best Solution

No-Code Configuration

Import, like all tools in the Infowise Ultimate Forms suite, requires no programming skills. The visual interface enables business users and site admins to set up powerful import routines without writing a single line of code. This empowers departments to take ownership of their processes and reduces the burden on IT.

Unified SharePoint Experience

Unlike third-party solutions that exist outside the SharePoint ecosystem, Infowise Ultimate Forms is embedded within SharePoint itself. This means you do not need to switch between platforms, synchronize external databases, or worry about external dependencies. Everything is managed in one cohesive environment.

Highly Customizable and Scalable

As your organization grows, so do your data integration needs. Ultimate Forms is built with scalability in mind. You can manage multiple import profiles, define custom error handling, create alerts for failed imports, and integrate imported data into workflows, dashboards, and reports.

Real-World Use Cases

Import is already helping organizations in industries like:

• Manufacturing: Automatically importing machine log data into SharePoint for preventive maintenance workflows.

• Education: Syncing student data exported from older SIS platforms.

• Healthcare: Consolidating patient intake data from multiple clinics.

• Retail: Updating inventory and order data from point-of-sale systems.

In each of these cases, Ultimate Forms not only simplifies the process but also enhances it by integrating the data into forms, workflows, and approval processes.

Quick Start Guide

Getting started with Import is easy:

1. Install Ultimate Forms from the Infowise website.

2. Access it from the toolbar of the destination list by clicking on the Design button.

3. Create a new import profile within Import.

4. Specify the source file location using a URL.

5. Map your data columns to SharePoint fields using the Actions tab.

6. Schedule the import frequency based on your needs.

7. Enable transformations if needed to reformat or combine data.

8. Test the import and review results in your SharePoint list.

Beyond Imports: Full Platform Benefits

Import is just one of 19 modules available in the Infowise Ultimate Forms. As you start to integrate data into SharePoint, you can take advantage of features like:

• Custom Forms: Build dynamic forms with rules, permissions, tabs, and validations.

• Alerts and Reminders: Automatically notify users based on data conditions.

• Document Generation: Create PDFs and Word documents from list data.

• Business Workflows: Automate processes with conditional logic.

Each of these features is designed to work seamlessly together, offering a comprehensive solution for data management and automation within SharePoint.

Conclusion

Integrating legacy systems into modern SharePoint environments does not have to be a painful or technical process. With Infowise Ultimate Forms, and particularly the Import module, organizations can automate data imports from simple CSV and TSV files and transform that data into actionable business insights.

Whether you are managing inventory updates, processing healthcare records, or consolidating billing data, Ultimate Forms provides a powerful, user-friendly solution. It reduces manual effort, ensures data accuracy, and helps your business achieve true digital transformation within the SharePoint platform.

Get started today with a free 30-day trial of Ultimate Forms and experience how easy it is to integrate, automate, and innovate.