# File Upload

## Getting Started

File Upload is the process of transferring data from an external file via the IAF CertSearch's file uploader. 

{% hint style="info" %}
**Pre-requisites:** 

* Data formatted in an [**Excel**](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/certification-bodies/data-management/import-certification/certification-templates/manage-data-in-excel) or [**XML**](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/certification-bodies/data-management/import-certification/certification-templates/manage-data-in-xml) file
  {% endhint %}

**Average Transfer Speed:** 30 secs \~ 2 mins, may vary depending on the data quality

**Acceptable Formats:** XLS, XLSX and XML

**Recommended:** Small, Medium and Large CBs that have anywhere between 20 to 100,000 certifications

***

## How to import data via File Upload

To import your data via File Upload:

1. go to the **Data Import** page
2. Choose **'File Upload'** as your data import method

<figure><img src="https://3317077539-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FxKFpI6wDGVdq63PqCqs7%2Fuploads%2FA0wDQa3oscfKgdSsvLhM%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f9873534-7d1e-48b1-919b-6040f4729d11" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Select the files you want to update

{% hint style="info" %}
**NOTE:** you can only upload 1 file format in 1 batch, uploading multiple file formats in 1 batch is not permissible. To learn more about the data import rules, click [here](#file-upload-rules).
{% endhint %}

3. Click on the upload section to select the files from your local **or** drag and drop the files you want to upload:

<figure><img src="https://3317077539-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FxKFpI6wDGVdq63PqCqs7%2Fuploads%2Fi7YWfauzVsSgVWSQUpRW%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cfb2fe14-ba20-4891-9ea8-44193b739591" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**: There is a maximum of **10 files** per import batch, files that exceed the limit will not be included in the upload. To learn more about the upload limits, click [here](#batch-file-limit).
{% endhint %}

4. Once selected, click the **Upload** button
5. In Step 2, the system initiates the data validation
6. Once validated, your data will successfully be added to IAF CertSearch

If errors are encountered during the data validation, read through the [File Upload Rules](#file-upload-rules) to help you resolve the issues.

***

## File Upload Rules

### **Batch File Limit**&#x20;

Validates the number of files uploaded and processed all at once, rather than uploading them individually.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Limits:**&#x20;

* **10 files per batch**
* Each file can contain at least 10k records
  {% endhint %}

<mark style="color:red;">Do not upload more than 10 files at the same time.</mark> If you have more than **100k records** it is recommended to **import via the API.**

### Auto Skip&#x20;