This section describes how the data is imported from an external file, validated, and published to the target table.

See the following diagram to view the flow of data from the upload stage to the final stage when it’s published.

The data import flow involves the following steps:

1. The customer uploads an Excel file as an attachment.
2. The InitiateDataLoad script processes the file and pre-validates the data. It verifies if the columns in the data file match the columns in the staging table. If the data file contains additional, duplicate, or missing columns, the data load process fails.
3. After the pre-validation process, the ALONStagingDataLoader script loads data into the staging table using one of the following scripts:
   • LoadExcelData
   • AccountONBImportSetLoader (global script include): See KB1358053 on Now Support for details.

   If the global script include isn’t available, the LoadExcelData script is used. The global script include contains base system APIs that are used to load the data to the staging table. If the global script include isn’t available, the LoadExcelData custom script verifies the data, checks for exceptions, and then loads the data to the staging table.

4. Validation scripts that validate the data loaded to the staging table are executed. Validation fails if some required or reference data is missing in the uploaded data.
5. When the validation has been completed, the records in the staging table move into the following states:
   • Ready to publish
   • Needs attention: Review the records that are in the Needs attention state, resolve the errors, and select Save. These updated records are moved into the Yet to validate state.
6. During the publish process, any records that are in the Yet to validate state are validated again, and records that move to the Ready to publish state are published to the target table.