Want a video tutorial on the Uploader? Click below:
The Uploader tool is designed to tackle the typically cumbersome process of importing data into TreePlotter™ INVENTORY that may or may not be the same format or have the same attributes as the standard INVENTORY format. This is done through a process called “crosswalking”. To begin, the data that you’d like to upload needs to be saved as either a .csv (comma separated value) file or as a shapefile compressed into a .zip file with all necessary pieces (at least the .shp, .sbf, .shx, .prj files). The Uploader can upload to any inventory layer in your application(point, polygon, or line data). If the data set has any multi-checkbox fields, check out our guide on preparing this data.
Note: We would recommend running this process from a computer, rather than a tablet, as you may not be able to use all of the cross walking functions.
Preparing the File:
To prepare a shapefile, prepare it in Arc or a similar program by projecting it to Web Mercator (Auxiliary Sphere) and saving it in a known location. Navigate to where you saved the file using Windows Explorer and highlight all pieces of the shapefile. Right-click on it and click Send To – Compressed Zip File. 
To prepare a .csv file for upload, open it in Microsoft Excel and use the “Save As” button to save it as a .csv. To prepare a CSV be sure to have the CSV meet the following requirements:
- Remove spaces in the headers
- Keep the file name within ten characters and remove special characters
- Remove special characters (@, #, $, %, *, …) throughout the data
Next you will have to prepare your data and TreePlotter for your Upload. To get a complete list of tips, please visit our Support Article here to learn more about getting your data ready.
Uploading the File:
If the Uploader tool was included in your INVENTORY app, it will appear under My Data when logged in. Click on the tool and then click Open Uploader to open the tool in a separate window.
This will open the Uploader, which is broken up into six different steps:
Overview:
First, select what kind of file the data is saved in, either CSV or Shapefile. Then choose what organization(if applicable) and which inventory layer you would like your data uploaded to.
Finally, click Next (bottom right) to continue.
Info:
This page provides information and instruction on the type of file you uploaded.
Upload:
Browse to the desired upload file and add it to the Uploader. Click the Upload File to add it.
Confirm:
If you have chosen a .csv file, 
you will be asked to specify which columns in the upload contain the xy coordinates for the points. Confirm that you see red dots showing up in the approximate location of the features you uploaded.
Note: If you do not see red dots showing up on your map, do not continue with the upload as your data will not import correctly. Check to make sure your zipped file has all the necessary components or contact the support team.
Crosswalk:
The Crosswalk tab is where upload 
data can be converted from its existing format to fit within the framework of INVENTORY. There are several different components of this tool to be aware of. First is the Preview Results button. Clicking this will provide a snapshot of uploaded data. Use it to track your progress and verify that data is being uploaded correctly. Next, the Reset All Data button will clear all data from the crosswalk process to start it over. The window at the far right shows a preview of the column contents. To preview a column, hover over it with the mouse.
Columns from the uploaded file appear on the left. The INVENTORY framework appears on the right. To crosswalk a field, click a field on the left, then click the field you wish to map it to on the right. The field names will appear above the collection of columns. Click the arrow button to begin the crosswalk process.
There are two types of fields that the Uploader handles. They are referred to as “map” fields and “copy” fields. Map fields require the user to drag and drop the select options from the upload file over to the Destination, or INVENTORY framework. This includes any field where there are dropdown select or check box options, including condition, maintenance needs, clearance conflicts, and more. This process is detailed below. Copy fields take the exact content of the records from the upload and paste them into the field in INVENTORY. This includes fields like date planted, dbh, notes, and more.
If the field you have chosen is a “Map” field, the interface will look like the figure below. The Automatch button will try to match your upload options with a current TreePlotter value. Try this function first to save some time on mapping your values. If some values don’t match, the user will click and drag the item from the left side to the corresponding one on the right. It should be noted that more than one selection from the left can be mapped to one option on the right. For example, if your upload file contains data on tree condition for “Poor” and “Very Poor”, you can combine them into “Poor – Major Problems” to coincide with INVENTORY’s standard condition choices. What options are available within the INVENTORY framework is defined by the client and PlanIT Geo™ prior to building the application.
Once you have dragged all options over from the left side (including “null”, which can be drug into the “Do Not Map” selection on the right), click Done With This Field.
For “Copy” fields, the buttons will look slightly different. The Submit Your Data button will copy all of the contents directly into the INVENTORY column. After you select Submit Your Data, select Done With This Field to return to the previous screen.
When you are satisfied with all of your crosswalk choices, click Next.
Complete:
The last step is to click the “Import the Trees Into the Map” button. Once this has been clicked, the trees will show up as points on the map and you will be prompted to close the Uploader. Once the Import button has been clicked, the changes are final. Double check your data before finishing the upload. This page also specifies the generated upload ID for your upload. The only time that this code will be relevant is if the user has the need to Mass Delete data by upload ID.
