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Importing Overview

eNETEmployer provides multiple import methods when you need to update payroll information quickly and accurately. Depending on the current task, your import might include only a single row at a time (e.g. when importing an new employee from another payroll or source), or it may contain dozens or rows such as when you are importing employee work hours.

Import Basics

• File Format - eNETEmployer allows you to import data that is stored in the comma-separated values (.CSV) format. These files can be created in a standard text editor, or by using a spreadsheet program (Excel, Open Office Calc, etc.)
• Column Headers - Before you import your file, it's important to ensure that the column headers in your data file match those in the screen to which you are importing. eNETEmployer makes this easy by allowing you to export the contents of the current table. The resulting .CSV will contain the required column headers, and will serve as a template and can be edited in your preferred spreadsheet program (Excel, Open Office Calc, etc.). Refer to the Importing Data from a Spreadsheet (.CSV) File tutorial for more information on this method. Note: One of the import formats require no column headers for the import. This special "Custom Work Hours" format is discussed below.
• Column Separators - Different separators can be used (e.g. comma, semicolon). For readability, many users prefer a comma "," when using a basic text editor to view or edit their data. Note: If you do use a comma as the separator, you must ensure that your data does not include any commas (e.g. in an employee's address).
• Import into most program screens - While most program screens support data import, it is impractical to do so on screens that contain a small number of cells. Data import is best used for screens that contain many columns where manual typing may introduce data entry errors. The most common screens used for data import are the Employee - Earning Items or Payroll Processing - Speedy Update screens (where you import employee work hours on a regular basis), and the Employee - Setup Employee screen (where you add new employees to your payroll).
• Editable vs Uneditable Data - Generally speaking, if a data cell can be edited, then it can be imported. If you attempt to import data for a column that is uneditable in the program, the resulting import will ignore the uneditable cells and columns.

Import Methods

eNETEmployer provides the following import methods:

1. Importing Employee data from an external source (.CSV) - Use this method when you need to add new employees to your payroll. You begin by exporting the source data from another program, and then importing it into the Employee - Setup Employee screen. Once your employee is imported, you complete their payroll setup by defining their rate of pay, accumulator action (Accrue or Always Pay), and any other voluntary deduction or benefit amounts where applicable. Refer to the Importing Employees (and other data) from a Spreadsheet File tutorial for more information on this method.
2. Importing Employee work hours from an external source (.CSV) - Use this method when you need to import work hours and amounts for multiple employees. Work hour import improves accuracy and saves you the time of manually entering many rows of data. You begin by exporting the source hours from another program, and then importing them into either the Employee - Earning Items or Payroll Processing - Speedy Update screens. Once your hours and amounts are imported, you are ready to calculate your payroll immediately.
   

   eNETEmployer provides two methods for importing work hours:

   • Method 01: Work Hours (Custom Format): Available for the Employee - Earning Items screen only, this special method gives you the ability to import time sheet records from any third-party system via a comma-separated values (.CSV) file. Refer to the Importing Employee Work Hours (Custom Format) tutorial for more information on this method.
   • Method 02: Generic Table Import: Available for all program screens, this generic import method allows you to specify a comma-separated values (.CSV) file that can be used to update the data in the main table on each screen. Refer to the Importing Data from a Spreadsheet (.CSV) File tutorial for more information on this method.
3. Importing employees from a different area in eNETEmployer - Use this method when you need to add one or more employees (who exist in another payroll) into the current payroll. Because all employees become part of the Employee Database once added to a payroll, this makes them available to import into other payrolls as needed. Refer to the Importing Employees from the Employee Database tutorial for more information on this method.
4. Extended Import Format - eNETEmployer provides an extended import format to support exported data from other systems that do not share the program's internal ID. This format is flexible and allows you to use one or more columns to identify a unique employee. You can then update any number of columns during the update process. Refer to the Extended Import Format help topic for more information.

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See Also:

• Importing (an Overview of Import Types)
• Importing Employees (and other data) from a Spreadsheet File
• Importing Employees from a Different Payroll (the Employee Database)
• Importing Employee Work Hours
• Custom Work Hours Import Format
• Extended Import Format (for importing other item types)