> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/certification-bodies/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/certification-bodies/data-management/import-certification/data-import/data-import-methods/ftp.md).

# FTP

## Getting Started

FTP allows you to upload data in bulk from your server every 24 hours. This works for both Excel and XML formats. Users are required to set up an Active FTP connection and the filenames to be retrieved from the server.

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

**Acceptable Formats:** XLSX and XML

**Recommended:** Small, Medium, and Large Certification Bodies that have anywhere between 20 to 50,000 certifications

***

### Prerequisites

1. [Set up an Active FTP Connection ](/certification-bodies/data-management/import-settings/ftp-settings.md#setting-up-your-ftp-connection-settings)
2. *In your FTP server,* upload files (.xlsx or XML) with your [formatted data](/certification-bodies/data-management/import-certification/certification-templates.md)
3. [Define the filenames](/certification-bodies/data-management/import-settings/ftp-settings.md#define-the-filenames) you want to retrieve from the server

***

### How to import data via FTP 

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

<figure><img src="/files/T8qPDnrc6rp1IRtgVYVv" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. If an FTP connection is not yet added, you'll be asked to set it up
4. Fill out or edit the following text fields
   * FTP Access Status
     * <mark style="color:green;">**Active**</mark>, *continuously fetch/download the files from the FTP*
     * <mark style="color:red;">**Inactive**</mark>, *stops fetching /downloading the files from the FTP*
   * FTP Server Protocol
     * **FTP**, *relies on usernames and passwords for authentication*
     * **SFTP**, *uses SSH keys for authentication, which are much more secure*
   * Server Host
   * Server Port
   * Server Username
   * Server Password&#x20;
     * If **SFTP** is selected, add the **Private Key**
5. To check if the FTP is successfully connected, click the '**Test FTP Connection'** button.
6. Once the FTP is connected, click the **'Save and Continue'** button.

<figure><img src="/files/hFP1jnEP4rpshk7Y7uPA" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

7. In the next screen, add the file names you want to fetch from the FTP server
   * You can tick the **'Wildcard'** option if you have multiple files in the FTP directory to be fetched with a common naming convention

     <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p>Example: </p><p>The filename is <strong>certs</strong> and the 'Wildcard' option is ticked.</p><p>Then, the system will look for the following filenames in the directory:</p><ul><li><strong>certs</strong>_1.xlsx</li><li>2_<strong>certs</strong>.xlsx</li><li>3_<strong>certs</strong>_4.xlsx</li></ul></div>
8. Once added, click the **'Fetch Data'** button
9. Once done, the process proceeds to **Step 2** where data validation is initiated
10. Once validated, your data will successfully be added to IAF CertSearch

Learn how to handle errors, if encountered during the import process.