Knowledge Base

Introduction

The File:XLSX:Read node in Ligantic provides a straightforward and powerful method for importing and parsing data from both XLSX and CSV files directly within your Flows. This enables you to seamlessly integrate spreadsheet data from various sources and formats into your automated processes.

Configuration

The File:XLSX:Read node offers several configuration options to tailor the data import process to your specific needs:

• File Format: Specify the format of the file you are importing. The supported formats are:
  • XLSX: For modern Excel spreadsheets.
  • CSV: For comma-separated value files.
• Skip Empty Lines: When enabled, this option will ignore any empty rows within the spreadsheet, ensuring that only rows with data are processed.
• Sheet Name (Optional): You can specify the name of the sheet you want to import data from. If left blank, the node will read from the first sheet in the workbook by default.
• Range (Optional): To import a specific range of cells, you can define it here (e.g., A1:D10). If no range is specified, the entire sheet will be imported.

Dynamic Options: For more advanced workflows, you can enable the "Dynamic" checkbox for the Sheet Name and Range options. This allows you to dynamically set these values using variables from previous nodes in your flow.

Schema Definition

A crucial part of configuring the File:XLSX:Read node is defining the schema. This tells the node how to interpret the columns in your spreadsheet and map them to data properties. The schema should match the column structure of your file. For example, if you are importing a contact list, your schema might include fields for "Given Name," "Family Name," and "Email."

Outputs

The File:XLSX:Read node has two primary control handles:

• Success: If the file is read and parsed successfully, the data will be sent through this path as a list of objects, where each object represents a row from the spreadsheet. These objects are available on the Data handle.
• Error: If there is an issue with reading or parsing the file, an error message will be sent through this path. You can use this to trigger error-handling logic, such as sending a notification.

Use Cases

The File:XLSX:Read node is versatile and can be used in a variety of scenarios, including:

• Importing Contact Lists: Easily import customer or contact data from a spreadsheet to populate a database or trigger a marketing campaign.
• Processing Sales Data: Read sales reports in XLSX format to perform calculations, generate summaries, or integrate with other business systems.
• Bulk Data Entry: Use a spreadsheet as a template for bulk data entry and then import it into your application using the File:XLSX:Read node.

Overall, the File:XLSX:Read node simplifies the process of working with spreadsheet data in Ligantic, providing a flexible and user-friendly way to automate your data import workflows.

Walkthrough