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How Does the Data Import Process Work for Forms in Dusk FSM?

## 🧾 How Does the Data Import Process Work for Forms in Dusk FSM?

## 📌 Overview

The **Form Data Import** feature in Dusk FSM allows you to upload structured records into an existing Form using a CSV or Excel file. This is commonly used to:

* Digitize historical records
* Import asset registers
* Load inspection or compliance data
* Migrate data from legacy systems

Data imports always occur **after a Form has been created**. While Dusk FSM Forms support advanced logic for in-field use, some field types are not compatible with bulk imports. This article explains how to prepare your Form, structure your file, and avoid common import issues.

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## 🛠️ Step 1: Create and Prepare Your Form

Before importing any data, your Form must already exist.

You can create Forms in several ways:

* [Manually create a Form in Dusk FSM](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/Forms/Creating-Forms-in-the-Dusk-FSM-Platform)
* [Generate a Form using AI in Dusk FSM](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/Forms/Create-Field-Forms-with-AI-in-Dusk-FSM)
* [Create and manage Assets using Forms in Dusk FSM](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/Assets/Creating-and-Working-with-Assets-in-Dusk-FSM)

⚠️ **Important**
Advanced field logic such as dependencies and dropdown lists is designed for manual, in-field data capture and is **not supported for data imports**.

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## 📤 Step 2: Export the Form Template

Once your Form is saved:

1. Navigate to **Operations → Forms → Form Builder**
2. Click the **Review Records** icon (second icon from the left)

![Dusk FSM Review Records icon](https://help.duskmobile.com/uploads/markdown/20260210-173253-763.png "Dusk FSM Review Records icon")

3. Click **Export** in the top right
4. Confirm Export in the popup to download a CSV file

![Export Form CSV file Dusk FSM](https://help.duskmobile.com/uploads/markdown/20260210-173354-627.png "Export Form CSV file Dusk FSM")

This CSV acts as your import template.

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## ✍️ Step 3: Populate the CSV File

Open the exported CSV and populate each column with your data.

* Do not rename columns unless required to resolve formatting issues
* Save the file once complete

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## 💡 Tips for a Successful Form Data Import

### ✅ Tip 1: Use Import-Compatible Field Types

Not all Form fields support bulk imports.

❌ **Fields that do NOT support data imports**

* Dependencies (conditional logic fields)
* Drop Down Lists

These fields are intended for live field entry and validation. You may include them in the Form, but they will not accept imported values.

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### ✅ Tip 2: Clean Column Headings

Column names containing special characters can cause import failures.

❌ Avoid the following characters in column headings:

* `+`
* `-`
* `/`
* Non alphanumeric symbols from ERP or legacy exports

✅ **Best practice**
Use plain text with spaces or underscores, for example:

* Asset Serial Number
* Inspection_Date
* Site ID

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### ✅ Tip 3: Ensure Field Names Are Unique

Duplicate field names will break the import process, even if the field types differ.

❌ **Examples of invalid duplicates**

* Asset Name (Text)
* Asset Name (Drop Down)
* Asset Name (Number)

✅ **Best practice**
Make all Form field names unique, for example:

* Asset Name Text
* Asset Name Dropdown
* Asset Name Numeric

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## 📥 Step 4: Import the CSV or Excel File

Return to your Form and:

1. Click the small **down arrow** next to the Export button
2. Select **Import from CSV or Excel**

![Form Data Import Button in Dusk FSM](https://help.duskmobile.com/uploads/markdown/20260210-171849-350.png "Form Data Import Button in Dusk FSM")

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## 🧩 Step 5: Configure Import Settings and Map Fields

In the import dialog:

* **Sheet**
  Select the correct worksheet for Excel files

* **Header Row and Content Row**
  For single CSV files, the default values usually do not need to be changed

* **Update Only**
  Enable this if the same file has been imported previously to prevent duplicate records

### Field Mapping

* CSV column names appear on the left
* Form fields appear on the right
* Type `@` in a field mapping box to see available CSV columns
* Select the matching column for each Form field

Once all fields are mapped, click **Import**.

![Form Data Field Mapping in Dusk FSM](https://help.duskmobile.com/uploads/markdown/20260210-171920-333.png "Form Data Field Mapping in Dusk FSM")

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## ✅ Step 6: Verify Imported Data

After import completion, your records are immediately available in Dusk FSM and can be used for:

* Work creation
* Asset tracking
* Inspections and audits
* Reporting and analytics

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## 🧠 Pro Tip

Always test with a **small sample CSV** before importing a large dataset. This confirms that field mappings, column formatting, and supported field types are all correct.

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## 🔗 Related Articles

* [Forms overview in Dusk FSM](https://help.duskmobile.com/topic/Forms)
* [Manually create a Form in Dusk FSM](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/Forms/Creating-Forms-in-the-Dusk-FSM-Platform)
* [Create Forms with AI in Dusk FSM](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/Forms/Create-Field-Forms-with-AI-in-Dusk-FSM)
* [Create and manage Assets using Forms in Dusk FSM](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/Assets/Creating-and-Working-with-Assets-in-Dusk-FSM)

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Updated on February 11, 2026

How Does the Data Import Process Work for Forms in Dusk FSM?

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