Data Upload & Import/Export Overview

Learn why and where to import and export files to and from Valsight, and find out which data formats are supported.

Basic Overview

• Data can be imported and exported at several places in Valsight

• Importing data enables a quick and easy setup of base data, drivers, assumptions, and more

• Exporting data from Valsight allows you to save software-generated data, charts, and configurations for further usage

• Valsight supports a multitude of data formats and interfaces (e.g. XLSX, OData, CSV, JDBC)

Importing and Exporting Data

Uploading external data allows you to quickly build models, simulations, and visualizations based on pre-existing databases. That way, you do not have to manually insert your relevant data, but can save time and enable a seamless connection between your business's databases and Valsight.

In the same manner, calculated or otherwise generated data can be exported to extract data sets, integrate processed data back into other databases, or simply to save the configuration settings of Valsight functions.

Exporting data from Valsight and creating charts with other programs can be a complicated effort. To simplify this process, exported Valsight data can be linked directly to a PowerPoint or Word file.

Valsight Instances That Support the Import/Export of Files

When using Valsight, there are several instances that support the up- or download of data.

These instances are:

• Projects

• Data Source Space

• Dimension Management

• Model Editor

• Workspaces

• Scenarios

• Assumptions

• Line-Items

• Charts

• Presentations

Projects

It is possible to im- and export entire projects. To do so, head to the configuration menu by clicking the cogwheel on the navigation bar.

From there, select “Projects” to open the project settings. Select the project you want to export and click “Export” to download the project as a ZIP file.

Here you can also import a project by uploading it as a ZIP file.

Data Source Space

The data source space is fundamental to Valsight. Here you can upload your main data sources to base your driver model on. Upload a structured file and Valsight will allow you to access the data in a comprehensive way by structuring it with your base model.

Information on how to correctly structure data so that Valsight can utilize them can be found here.

You can also download the base data of a project that has previously been uploaded, making it possible to upload an adjusted version of an existing database. The supported base data format is XLSX, with OData, and JDBC connections also being supported, allowing manual as well as automated uploading of base data. For further information on external data sources like OData and JDBC, please take a look at our dedicated guide.

An in-depth guide on how to create and update data sources in Valsight can be found here.

Dimension Management

The dimension management supports the creation of dimensions based on imported XLSX files. This way you only have to manually insert dimension hierarchies, but do not need to insert level values. You can also download an XLSX file of an existing dimension if you wish to implement minor changes to the existing dimensions.

Workspaces

Workspaces can be exported as either raw or formatted XLSX files, allowing a quick extraction of generated data. Raw XLSX files are easier to transform and display data in a more machine-friendly way but may be hard to read for human users.

The raw XLSX exports a file that contains raw data structures (primary data) that have not yet been processed for use. Raw data is organized in columns and rows without merged cells. Each column represents one single data category, and every row contains data for each column.

Formatted XLSX files are easier to comprehend but might be incompatible with other software or databases. The formatted XLSX option exports a file that is structured in tables with sorted data and additional information (for example applied Filters). A formatted export also includes merged cells.

This option might be used in the case of presenting data to others via excel.

Charts

Chart can be exported as XSLX or OData.
As XLSX you can export the raw and formatted data of individual charts and tables, giving you a more specific option for exporting simulation data.
The OData link will automatically be copied to your clipboard.

Model Editor

The model editor opens another option to upload data. Here you can download existing data sources and apply changes, which can then be uploaded again to your model. Data downloads can also be done with individual nodes, for a clear overview of the processed data. Via the model editor, you can also upload new data sources to create entirely new databases, if the need should arise. 

The model editor itself supports the upload and download of XLSX files.

When uploading data via the model editor, Valsight enforces strict conditions in order for the upload to work. This is done to ensure that the newly uploaded data conform with any existing data sources or models.

These strict validation checks:

• if every level has all and only values for the correct levels

• if the parent-child relations are correct, when there are multiple levels in the same dimension

• if links in levels of tables/sheets are working properly (when using an XLSX file that is linked to an external source per interface)

• if a column that would be deleted by the upload is still used

• if duplicate tables would result in multiple tables/sheets with the same name

• if duplicate columns exist

• for conformity with multiple dimensionality rules

  • this includes verifying that no multiple data points with the same dimension and level values exist

• if there are any empty sheets

• if number columns only have numbers

Note that the bottom right of the dialog contains the “Create new data source” button. By clicking it, you will be redirected to the data source space, where you can create entirely new data sources instead of just adjusting existing ones.

Node Lists

Another export option exists in the download of a list of all nodes belonging to a model.

Any admin can do so by heading to the “Configuration” page via the cogwheel on the navigation bar and clicking on “Projects”

From there, select the project you want to export the node list of and click “Show models”.

Under the header “Nodes:” you can then see the number of nodes related to the model you select from the overview list on the left. By clicking “(see list)” you can view a detailed list of all nodes. You can use filters in the header bar to filter for specific kinds of nodes or search them directly using the search function in the top right corner.

By clicking “Download as XLSX” you can download a list of all nodes. You can also manually select specific nodes that should be included in the download; all unselected nodes will not be downloaded if you do so.

Exporting a Model as DOT File

DOT is a simple but powerful language for the description and depiction of graphs and structures. Valsight enables you to download a DOT file of a model, making it possible to depict the nodes and their structure with other software.

To export a DOT file of a model, follow the steps in “ Node Lists ” until you get to the model overview in the admin UI. Select the model you want to export as a DOT file and scroll to the bottom of its configurations.

There you can select, which additional information to include in the export. You can also apply a regular expression to filter with or use a rollup.

When you’re finished with the configuration, click on “Download Graphviz/DOT File” to download the file.

Exporting a Model as DSL/VSM File

Yet another option to export a model consists of using a DSL (Domain Specific Language).

Valsight offers the export of a model using the VSM syntax. This export is guaranteed to successfully include all information included in a model.

To export a model as a DSL file, head to the admin UI and go to the model’s settings. From there, select ”Definition Download”

The downloaded model definition can then be inserted into any model’s definition editor to recreate the downloaded model. To do so, click the “Definition Editor” button to open the definition editor and replace the existing text with the downloaded definition.

Scenario Manager

The Scenario Manager is the control terminal for your simulation calculations. Here you can create and adjust scenarios, assumptions, and line-items. You can also review and validate their effects on your base model. The Scenario Manager not only contains scenarios, assumptions, and line-items but can also export scenarios including selected models and nodes.

Scenarios

The Scenario Manager allows you to share and/or export existing scenarios. Scenarios can also be individually exported as XLSX, OData, or CSV.

Manual File Download

To export scenarios, click on the “Export Scenarios” button.

This will open the “Export Scenarios” dialog.

Exporting a Scenario as an OData Feed and connecting to MS Excel

With OData, you can generate a link to a scenario in Valsight that is updated every time you change something in Valsight. OData is an open protocol that can be used by different software including MS Excel. 

In this case, Excel will be used as an example. 

1. After creating a new sheet/document, go to ‘Data' and click on 'Get Data’.

2. Navigate to 'From Other Sources' and then 'From OData Feed' and click on it.

3. Following that, a pop-up window opens to insert the copied link you obtained from exporting a scenario.

4. Insert the link.

In the next step, a window opens with multiple login methods.

1. Choose 'Basic' on the left side.

2. Enter your username in the upper field.

3. In the lower field, either enter your password or an API key (Read API keys login on how to set up the API key).

4. Click on 'connect'.

Next, you will see a preview of the data.

1. Click on 'Load'.

2. The data will now be imported into Excel.

Importing a Scenario

In the project settings, scenarios can be imported via XLSX files.

Please look here for further information on the import of scenarios, how Valsight treats them differently than other scenarios, and potential challenges when using imported scenarios.

Assumptions

You can upload files for individual assumptions, save them for later usage, or implement data changes using Excel. Assumption data can be imported or exported as XLSX files.

Instead of importing or exporting individual assumptions, you can also do so for all assumptions in the Scenario Manager.

Line-Items

Like assumptions, line-items can be imported or exported individually. This enables closer control over the data and, for example, changes in data. 

Presentations

The presentation space has the option of importing an existing JSON file. This can be useful if you want to transfer created presentations. You can also export created presentations as JSON files and print or save them as a PDF file.

Data Validation

Imported data have to conform to some limitations in order to be processed by Valsight. To make sure that data are correctly formatted, Valsight offers several options for validating the conformity of imported data.

The most basic data validation is carried out in the data source space. Here you can validate data against your dimensions and levels to make sure Valsight can process them properly.

Data can also be validated during the modeling of your base model. By doing so, you can make sure that your nodes contain no syntactical errors and that your source data could be calculated correctly.

For additional help regarding data validation, please refer to the data validation guide.

Limitations and Data Upload Errors

Valsight allows you to build complex models and calculate simulations based on your data input. The performance of Valsight depends on the complexity of the base model and the amount of data that is calculated. In-depth information and guidelines on the technical limitations of Valsight can be found here.

Uploading data can sometimes fail and result in error messages or inadequate data. More information on common mistakes and errors can be found here.

Template Manager

The template manager allows you to quickly save configuration settings for further use with other projects.

An extensive guide on how to create templates can be found here.