--- sourceDocument: Australia Strategic Portfolio Management sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/it-business-management Release : - australia ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Australia Strategic Portfolio Management ft:clusterId : - itbm bundleId : - itbm workflow : - Technology --- # Import tasks using ServiceNow Otto # Task import into CWM Boards using ServiceNow Otto {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Australia Updated May 29, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 3 minutes to read Summarize ![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete. ## Summary of Task import into CWM Boards using ServiceNow Otto ServiceNow Otto enables customers to efficiently import tasks or stories from spreadsheets or documents directly into Collaborative Work Management (CWM) Boards. This feature saves time by eliminating manual task recreation and reduces errors during migration from external task tracking tools. Otto scans the source file, proposes AI-driven column mappings to existing Board columns, and allows users to review, adjust, and preview tasks before confirming the import. Show full answer Show less ## Key Features * **AI-proposed column mapping:** Otto analyzes imported files and suggests target columns on the Board to match source data, facilitating accurate data alignment. * **Manual mapping adjustments:** Users can manually reassign source columns to different Board columns to ensure correct mapping. Each source column must map uniquely. * **Custom column creation:** If no existing Board column fits the source data, users can create new custom columns during mapping, selecting appropriate column types. * **Reset to AI mapping:** Users can revert manual changes and restore the original AI-generated mapping at any point before import. * **Preview before import:** A full preview of tasks to be created helps users validate the import content; individual rows can be excluded. * **Background processing with notification:** Imports run asynchronously, with workspace notifications summarizing imported records and highlighting any issues. * **Record types:** Each import row becomes a CWM task or story record based on user selection, affecting available target columns for mapping. ## Important Considerations for Customers * **File size and format limits:** Supported files include .doc, .docx, .pdf, .xls, .xlsx, .png, .jpg, and .jpeg with a maximum size of 10 MB, up to 100 rows and 50 columns per import. Only the first sheet of Excel files is imported. * **Excel header row:** The first row must contain column headers for Excel files; this does not apply to image files. * **Date format:** Dates must match the instance's glide.sys.dateformat; mismatched formats result in blank date fields. * **Mandatory mapping:** The Short Description column must be mapped before proceeding. * **Access requirements:** Import tasks option is available only when ServiceNow Otto for CWM is active, requiring sncwmai.cwmaiuser and lensuser roles. * **Single file per import:** Only one file can be imported per session; CSV files are not supported, so Excel formats are recommended for tabular data. * **Structured data requirement:** Files must contain structured rows and columns; narrative or freeform text files cannot be imported. * **Import is irreversible:** Once confirmed, imports cannot be undone, though imported records can be manually deleted. * **Post-import visibility:** Imported tasks appear normally on the Board without special highlighting; filters or sorting can help locate them. ## Next Steps To leverage this feature, prepare your task data in a supported file format with clear column headers and structured rows. Use ServiceNow Otto's import functionality on your active CWM Board, review and adjust AI-suggested mappings, preview tasks, and confirm the import. This process streamlines migration and ongoing task management within ServiceNow Collaborative Work Management. Save time and effort by importing tasks or stories from a spreadsheet or document into a Collaborative Work Management Board. ServiceNow Otto proposes column mapping so you can bring existing work onto a Board without manually recreating each row. Teams migrating to CWM from external task tracking tools often have months of structured work already documented in spreadsheets or documents. Recreating that work manually on a CWM Board is time-consuming and error-prone. The import feature on a CWM Board lets you bring that existing work in from a file. ServiceNow Otto scans the file, identifies the tasks, and proposes how each source column maps to a column on your Board. You review and adjust the mapping, preview the tasks before they are created, and confirm to complete the import. ## Key capabilities {#importing-tasks-cwm-boards__section_key-capabilities} AI-proposed column mapping : ServiceNow Otto analyzes your file and proposes a target Board column for each source column based on the data it detects. Because the mapping is AI-generated, review each proposal and adjust as needed before proceeding to the preview. Manual mapping adjustments : For any source column, you can select a different target column from the list of available Board columns. Each source column must map to a unique target column. Custom column creation : If a source column does not match any existing Board column, you can add it as a new custom column directly from the mapping step. You can choose the column type while adding. Reset to AI mapping : If you have adjusted mappings manually and need to start over, you can reset the entire mapping to the original ServiceNow Otto proposal. Preview before import : Before confirming, review the full list of tasks that will be created on the Board. You can deselect individual rows to exclude them from importing. Background processing with notification : The import runs in the background after you confirm. A workspace notification reports the number of records added to your Board and flags any rows that could not be processed. ## Record types {#importing-tasks-cwm-boards__section_record-types} Each row of your file is imported as a record into CWM. Choose one of these record types in the upload step: * CWM task * Story {#importing-tasks-cwm-boards__ul_tg1_4dr_kjc} The available target columns in the mapping step depend on the record type that you choose. ## Considerations {#importing-tasks-cwm-boards__section_considerations} File limits : Each import accepts a single file with a maximum size of 10 MB, up to 100 rows, and up to 50 columns. Supported file types are .doc, .docx, .pdf, .xls, .xlsx, .png, .jpg, and .jpeg. For Excel files with multiple sheets, only the first sheet is imported. Excel column header row : For Excel files (.xls or .xlsx), the first row must contain the column names. The AI always treats the first row as the header row. This requirement does not apply to image files, where the AI reads the content directly without relying on a header row. Date format : Dates in the source file must match the format set in the `glide.sys.date_format` system property on your instance. Dates in any other format are silently left blank after import. Required mapping : The Short Description column must be mapped before you can proceed to the preview step. Access requirements : The Import tasks option, under Create with Otto in the Board header, is visible only on Boards where ServiceNow Otto for CWM is active. You need the sn_cwm_ai.cwm_ai_user and lens_user roles. Single file per import : Each import session accepts one file at a time. Upload a separate file for each set of tasks you want to bring in. CSV files aren't supported : CSV format is not a supported file type. To import tabular task data from a spreadsheet, use an .xls or .xlsx file instead. Tabular data required : The file must contain structured, tabular data with identifiable rows and columns. Files that contain only freeform or narrative text can't be processed, and the import fails if ServiceNow Otto can't detect any importable rows. Import can't be reversed : After you confirm the import, records are created in the background. There is no option to undo or reverse a completed import but to delete the imported records from the Board. Newly imported tasks aren't highlighted on the Board : After the import completes, the imported tasks appear on the Board but aren't visually highlighted or grouped as a set. Use filters or sort options to locate them. ## Get started {#importing-tasks-cwm-boards__section_ilz_vbk_kjc} [Import existing tasks into a CWM Board](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/SnNwtD7KY69FuuJlTyWKMg "Bring existing work from a spreadsheet or document into a CWM Board. Column mapping is generated automatically. Review the mapping, preview the result, and confirm the import.").