.. _perform_a_bulk_load:

Bulk Loading a File
-------------------

Completed Bulk Load XLS sheets can be loaded immediately. Verify the following:

* Ensure that:
 
  * The file has a valid file extension ``.xlsx``.
    An error message will display on the user interface to indicate 
    that the file does not have a valid file extension.
  * Any Configuration Templates that are referenced, are available.
  * Any comments that your spreadsheet application allows you to add
    (for example showing as a marker in the cell with a pop-up)
    have been removed. Otherwise, an error message is shown:
    "An error occurred while opening the workbook. For possible resolution, please remove 
    all comments from the worksheets and try again. If the problem persists, 
    contact your administrator for support."
* To send *empty values* for a field, two options are available:
  
  * Type a space in the cell of the value column on the sheet.
  * Type ``<NULL>`` in the cell of the value column on the sheet.
* Spreadsheet formulas (such as ``'=7+2'``) in data will not be evaluated.

1. Browse to the hierarchy level at which you want to perform the bulk load.
#. Open the **Bulk Load** form (default menu **Administration Tools > Bulk Load**).
#. Browse to the file you want to bulk load and click **Bulk Load**.
#. Go to the **Transaction** menu to inspect the bulk load in the transaction log
   if necessary. The **Execute Bulk Load** sub-transaction list shows the
   transaction for each row of the sheet.
#. Alternatively, to schedule the bulk load, clear the **Execute Immediately**
   check box and add scheduled date and time values in the mandatory **Execution Date**,
   **Execution Time** and **Execution Timezone** fields. A scheduled bulk load
   is shown on the list view of the Schedule and has the name and upload load date
   of the sheet.