Importing Questions into the Question Library

If you have a large number of questions to add to the Question Library, you can use the Data Import feature instead of manually entering each question individually. The Data Import feature includes a set of configuration options to import data from a file to the appropriate fields and records in the Question Library.

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Task 1: Prepare for data import

To ensure that the data is correctly and efficiently copied into the application, examine both your external data file and the Question Library application before importing questions into the Question Library. Taking a few minutes to plan a successful data import reduces the amount of time spent resolving import errors.

Consider the following points as you examine your import file and the Question Library application into which you are importing data:

  • Your file must be a delimited-values data file. The Data Import Wizard requires you to specify the primary and secondary delimiters used in your data file. Know these characters before you begin the data import.
  • Many fields in the Question Library application are required. These fields, including their values, must be present in your data import file for a successful data import. In addition, only certain types of values are accepted in the Question Library fields. Base the structure of your import file on the fields described in Add a Question to the Question Library.
  • The import process copies data from the import file into the Question Library; it does not create any new fields. The data within your import file must map to an existing field within the Question Library application.
  • Mapping fields from your data file to fields in the application is much easier if the corresponding fields have the same name. The application automatically maps import fields to application fields when they have the same name, which can save time in manually mapping fields.
  • If your data import includes Values List questions, you must perform 2 separate operations. First, import data into the Question Library records. Second, import the associated Answer Values sub-form on a subsequent data import. You cannot import the Answer Values information at the same time as the initial data import.

Important: Your import data file for the Answer Values sub-form must contain the unique identifier from the parent Question Library record. For example, if you are importing answer values for the question, "Does this application contain customer data?" you need to include the unique identifier for this question. This practice ensures that your answer values are associated with the correct question. You can use values from either the Question ID or the Question Name field as unique identifiers for a Question Library record.

Task 2: Import questions into the Question Library

  1. Examine both your external data file and the Question Library application.
  2. To import the data file that contains the questions, run the Data Import Wizard.
  3. If your data import includes Values List questions, you need to import the associated Answer Values sub-form on a subsequent data import.

    Note: You cannot import the Answer Values information at the same time as the initial data import.