Import assets from CSV

This page is about Assets & Inventory Plugin for Jira DC. Using Cloud? Click here.

This guide details how to import your asset data using a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file.

How does CSV import/export work?

CSV bulk import/export works with predefined CSV templates. Columns must match with asset type attributes. You'll need to define these attributes before importing.

Preparation steps

  1. Prepare Your CSV File:

    • Download a CSV Template: Navigate to the CSV Import page, select your asset type, and click Download CSV file for add or update to obtain a pre-formatted template.

    • Edit Your CSV File:

      • To update existing assets, modify the relevant rows.

      • To add new assets, ensure the "Asset ID" column is empty for those rows. If there is an ID in the first column for rows 2 and the rest, it will be an update operation.   

      • Be careful with the CSV application you use. If you use Excel, please be careful. When your OS and JIRA date-time formats don't match, Excel may change the date-time values to match your OS settings. Your current formats for date and date-time are: "d/MMM/yy" (11/May/20) and "dd/MMM/yy h:mm a" (11/May/20 11:50 AM). For guidance, refer to this documentation.

      • If you get a format error, open the CSVs in the text editor and compare the file you downloaded with your version.

  2. CSV File Formatting Tips:

    • When you open a CSV file with the applications such as MS Excel or Libre Office, set the file import options as below:

      • Character Set: UTF-8

      • Separator Options: Separated By Comma (Uncheck Tab, Semicolon and Space)

    • Multi-field values should be semicolon-separated. For example, "value1;value2;value3".

    • Required fields are marked with asterisks (*).

    • If using Excel, verify that the date formats match the JIRA format (for example, "d/MMM/yy" and "dd/MMM/yy h:mm a").

Import process

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  1. Select the Asset Type: Choose the asset type you want to work with.

  2. Download the CSV Template: You can add new assets or update the current assets with just one upload operation.

    • Use Download empty CSV template file to add new assets.

    • Use Download CSV file for update to modify existing assets and download all the assets of the asset type.

Leave the Asset ID column value empty to add new assets. If the Asset ID column contains a numerical value, this record will be treated as an update operation. To avoid making changes to the assets listed in the CSV file, simply delete their respective rows. If there are no attribute values that need to be changed, leave them unchanged.

  1. Configure CSV Import Settings:

    • Reference Asset Fetch Method: Choose how to reference assets. There are two types of Reference Asset attributes: Asset List and Asset List by Asset Types. This option tells how to find the reference asset: ID, Name, and "First ID then Name". 

    • Unique Asset Name Behavior: Select whether to check for existing asset names.

    • Create Unknown Values Behavior: Set whether to create attribute values when they are missing.

  2. Upload and Submit the CSV File: Once your CSV is properly formatted and configured, upload it through the form. Remember, only one upload operation is permitted at a time. Supported browsers include Internet Explorer 10+, Chrome 20+, Firefox 22+, Opera 12, and Safari 5+.

Post-import actions

  • Check for Errors: After uploading, check the bottom of the page for any error messages.

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  • Initiate Another Import: To perform another import, click the Acknowledge button once the current import is completed.

Additional Information

Example: Create and update assets, and Reference Asset