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Importing projects from a file

Martin Tsekov avatar
Written by Martin Tsekov
Updated over 2 weeks ago

The Import Projects from File feature in Havelock allows you to easily create multiple projects at once using a template Excel file. This is a convenient way to bulk import projects with predefined data.


Where to access this feature

You can import projects from a file in the following locations:

  • From the Projects page, using the three-dot menu (⋯) above the table.

  • From the Projects tab inside a Goal.


Adding projects from a file

Step 1: Download the template

⚠️ Important: Only the template downloaded from the platform guarantees correct project creation. Do not rename the file, sheet name, or column headers — otherwise, the system won’t read the content properly.


Step 2: Fill out the template

Fill in the template with the necessary information. All required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).

Required fields:

  • Project name* – Name of the project

  • Deadline* – Project deadline

  • Type* – Type of project

Optional fields:

  • Start date - Project start date

  • Priority - Project priority (Regular or High)

  • Access - Project access (Private; Shared (default) or Public)

  • Time factor - Time factors that could be related to the project

  • Reference - The reference could be anything (invoice, order or contract number etc)

  • Quantity - How many pcs

  • Providers - Providers you’ll work with on this project

  • Clients - Clients you'll work with on this project

  • Description - Project description

  • Use template - Name of an existing project template

Project fields (custom fields):

  • The import supports Project fields (custom fields), but they have to be manually added.

  • Add the desired Project field label to the unused columns after the Use template one and then just fill in the desired values for each row.

ℹ️ The owner of the created projects will be the one executing the flow. The owner can be changed once the projects are created.


Behavior when using a template:

If the column Use template contains the name of an existing project template: Filled-in row cells take priority over template values.


Step 3: Upload the completed file

Once the template is filled out, upload it using the Upload File button.
Only one file can be uploaded at a time.

The system will display a loading indicator while processing the file.


If an error occurs:
If even a single row contains missing or invalid values, the upload will be rejected. The user will receive an error message with detailed information what is wrong in order to re-upload a corrected version.


Excel file format and behavior

Default columns:

Column

Required

Behavior

Project name

Yes

Free text

Start date

No

Must be today or a future date (e.g. 30.05.2025). If left blank start date will be equal to the project creation date.

Deadline

Yes

Must be today or a future date (e.g. 30.05.2025).

Type

Yes

Only one value can be added and it must match completely the name of the desired project type from your account

Priority

No

Single-select drop-down with two predefined options: Regular and High. If no value is selected the project will be created with Regular priority

Access

No

Single-select drop-down with three predefined options: Private, Shared and Public. If no value is selected the project will be created with Shared access.

Time factor

No

Only one value can be added and it must match completely the name of the desired Time factor from your account

Reference

No

Free text

Quantity

No

Input only numbers, but no more than five digits (e.g. 54201)

Providers

No

Multiple values can be added. They should be separated by “,” and they must match completely the names of the desired providers from your account (e.g. Provider 1, Provider 2)

Clients

No

Multiple values can be added. They should be separated by “,” and they must match completely the names of the desired clients from your account (e.g. Client 1, Client 2)

Description

No

Free text

Use template

No

Only one value can be added and it must match completely the name of the desired Project template from your account

Project field (custom fields) columns:

Project field type

Behavior

Text field

Free text input. No limitations.

Number field

Numeric input only; max 10 digits. A decimal point (“.”) is allowed, with up to 5 digits after it (everything over the limit will result in rounding).

Date picker

Date input; no limit on range. The value must be properly formatted (Excel date formats are supported).

Drop-down (single-select)

Select one value from the system, or create a new one if no exact match exists.

Drop-down (multi-select)

Select multiple values from the system, or create new ones if no exact match exists. Separate values with commas (“,”). The system registers everything after a comma as a separate value.

User selector (single-select)

Select a single user from the system by email.

User selector (multi-select)

Select multiple users from the system by emails, separated with commas (“,”).
Example: email1@domain, email2@domain

🗒️ Since Type, Time factor, Providers, Clients and Use template are not drop-downs with your actual account data you must manually enter the exact values. Here’s where to find it in your account:

  • Type: Settings > Projects > Project types

  • Time factor: Settings > Projects > Time factors

  • Providers: Settings > General > Providers

  • Clients: Settings > General > Clients

  • Use template: Settings > Projects > Project templates > Projects templates (default tab)

  • Project fields (Custom fields): Settings > Projects > Project fields (The values of Drop-down (single- and multi-select) fields are visible when you edit the field.).

If you need assistance or encounter difficulties, please contact our support team.


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