---
url: https://docs.seen.io/resources/data-import-best-practices.md
description: >-
  Practical steps for cleaning and formatting CSV data, including field mapping
  and file requirements, before importing it into Seen Platform.
---

# Data Import Best Practices

Practical guidance for preparing and cleaning CSV data before importing it into Seen Platform.

## 1. Make sure the data is clean

Cleaning your data before importing significantly reduces unwanted videos generated in the platform.

* Remove leading and trailing spaces in all cells
* Remove unwanted spaces inside cells: `Ole-Christian` and not ` Ole- Christian`
* Remove unwanted characters: e.g. `` !@#$%^&*(),.?":{}|<>[ ]\;'~_1234567890` ``
* Consistent casing: `Daniel` and not `DaNIeL`
* Unified formatting for numbers: e.g. all values `100 000` or `100000` or `100,000`
* Remove all rows with missing data (e.g. missing first name)
  * You can also replace bad or missing data with a generic option, if the script allows this.

## 2. Remove unused data

Remove any columns or fields you don't actually use for personalisation. Leftover data increases the chance of mapping errors and makes the file harder to review later.

## 3. Include an internal ID

Include an internal ID (e.g. ID-number or email address) for you to be able to match rows from the exported file from the Platform in your system for distribution, or to use in the Project Webhook.

## 4. Make sure the fields in your file have a corresponding Property

Fields in your file need a corresponding [Property](../platform/settings/properties) in your Project.

## 5. Make sure to use the following filetype

* CSV
* UTF-8 with comma Delimited
* One header row

## 6. Example file structure

| crm\_id | first\_name | last\_name | interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 123 | John | Doe | Football |
| 234 | Jane | Smith | Tennis |
| 345 | Michael | Johnson | Basketball |
| 456 | Emily | Davis | Swimming |
| 567 | William | Martinez | Volleyball |
| 678 | Elizabeth | Taylor | Skiing |
| 890 | James | Anderson | Golf |
| 020 | Jennifer | Thomas | Badminton |
| 046 | Robert | Jackson | Football |
| 352 | Linda | Harris | Rugby |
| 782 | David | Martin | Cricket |
| 365 | Barbara | Thompson | Ice Hockey |
| 289 | Richard | Garcia | Baseball |
| 033 | Susan | Martinez | Table Tennis |
| 078 | Joseph | Robinson | Cycling |