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How do I upload an Excel or CSV file as a source?

1.

Overview

VantageA data source is the analyticsfoundation andof every dashboard modulein insideVantage. Converse. As a Vantage Admin,Before you can add widgets, apply filters, or share insights, Vantage needs data to work with. The fastest way to bring data into Vantage is by uploading an Excel (.xlsx) or CSV (.csv) file directly from your computer.

When you upload data,a buildfile, dashboards,Vantage configurereads AIits queries, set up alerts,columns and sharerows, insightsstores withthem yourin team.its Thisanalytics pageengine, helpsand youmakes findthe yourdata wayavailable aroundfor dashboards and widgets. You can upload multiple files to create separate data sources, and later define relationships between them to combine data across sources.

When to Use

Upload an Excel or CSV file when you openneed Vantage for the first time.to:

2. When to Use

  • WhenAnalyse youspreadsheet aredata accessing— VantageYou forhave thesales firstfigures, time.audit scores, inventory counts, or survey results in a spreadsheet and want to turn them into charts and KPIs.
  • WhenBring youin data from an external system — You exported data from another tool (ERP, HRMS, POS) as a file and want to visualise it in Vantage.
  • Create a one-time or periodic data snapshot — The data does not change frequently enough to need an automated API connection; a manual upload is simpler.
  • Prototype a dashboard quickly — You want to understandtest thea maindashboard navigationlayout areasand widget configuration with real data before setting up dashboards.a live API connector.

Concepts

Data Source – A named data set inside Vantage that widgets query. Each uploaded file becomes its own data source with a unique table of columns and rows.

Connector – The method used to bring data into Vantage. Uploading an Excel or CSV file is one connector type; REST API and internal Converse forms are others.

Ingest – The process that reads your uploaded file, maps its columns, and writes the data into Vantage’s analytics engine (ClickHouse). Ingest runs automatically after you upload.

Column Mapping – Vantage detects each column’s name and data type (text, number, date) from the file. You can review and adjust these before the data is saved.

Replace vs Append – When you re-upload a file to an existing data source, you can choose to replace all existing rows with the new file’s data, or append the new rows to what is already there.

Typed Columns – Vantage stores each column with a specific data type (String, DateTime, Int64, Float64, etc.). Correct types ensure filters, sorting, and aggregations work as expected.

Set Up Guide

Before You Start

From the Home Page, click the Vantage Dashboard widget to open Vantage. If you have not added this widget yet, follow the Custom Widget help doc to set it up.

  1. Open the Data Sources screen — In the Vantage sidebar, click Data Sources. You will see a list of all existing data sources for your organisation.
  2. WhenStart a new upload — Click the + Add Source (or Upload) button and select Excel / CSV as the connector type.
  3. Choose your file — Browse your computer and select the .xlsx or .csv file you want to locateupload. The file is sent to Vantage and the Sourcesingest sectionprocess tobegins start bringing data in.

    4. 3. Concepts

    • Vantage Admin – A user with the Vantage Admin role. Only admins can create sources, build dashboards, configure widgets, and manage sharing. The admin role is assigned within Converse.automatically.
    • SourcesReview column mapping –— WhereVantage alldisplays yourthe detected columns with their names and data lives.types. EveryCheck filethat you upload, form you connect, or API you sync becomes a source. Sourcesdates are therecognised foundationas —dates, dashboards,numbers widgets,as numbers, and AItext queriesas alltext. readAdjust fromany sources.column type if needed.
    • DashboardsName the data source –— TheGive mainthe screendata yoursource teama willclear, see.descriptive Eachname (e.g., "Store Sales — Q3 2026" or "Employee Training Scores"). This name appears in the dashboard holds one or more widgets (charts, tables, KPIs) built on top of your sources.
    • Ask AI – A chat panel where you can type natural-language questions and get answers from your data.

    4. Set Up Guide

    Step 1: Open Vantage
    1. Log in to Converse.
    2. Open the sidebar menu.
    3. Click Vantage to enter the module.
    Step 2: Explore the Navigation

    When Vantage opens, you will see the main sections:

    • Sources – Add and manage your data connections.
    • Dashboards – Create and view dashboards.
    • Ask AI – Ask questions over your data.
    Step 3: Open Sources
    1. Click Sources from the navigation.
    2. You will see the Sources listing — this is emptybuilder when you start.add widgets.
    3. Save — Click Save. The data is now stored in Vantage and ready for use in dashboards.

    From here you cancan:

    • Create a dashboard and add yourwidgets firstthat query this data source using— see How do I create a dashboard?
    • View and edit the Adduploaded Sourcedata button.— see How do I view and edit data in a source?
  • Define

    5.a relationship to join this data with another source — see How do I create a relationship between data sources?

    • Best Practices

      Use

    • Starta withheader Sourcesrow in the first row of your file — Vantage reads it to name each column automatically. Remove blank rows and columns before building dashboardsuploading — youextra need at least one source before you canblanks create anyempty widget.
      • columns
    • Preparein your data filesource. Keep dates in a consistent format (Excele.g., YYYY-MM-DD or CSV)DD/MM/YYYY) before openingso Vantage sodetects youthem canas date columns. Avoid merged cells in Excel files — merged cells do not translate into clean rows and columns. If your data changes regularly, re-upload itthe rightupdated away.
      • file
    • Ifand youchoose planReplace to use form data, make surekeep the formdata issource alreadycurrent. createdUse inone sheet per file — Vantage reads the Conversefirst formsheet builder.
      • by
    default. users
      can
    • How do I connect a REST API as a data source?
    • How do I connect internal Converse forms as a data source?
    • How do I view shared dashboards and receiveedit alerts,data butin theya cannotsource?
    • How do I create sources,a buildrelationship dashboards,between ordata configuresources?
      • widgets.

    FAQs

    What shouldCan I doupload firstmore afterthan openingone Vantage?
    Gofile? toYes. SourcesEach andfile addbecomes yourits firstown data source. OnceYou can then create relationships between them if they share a common column.

    What file formats are supported? Excel (.xlsx) and CSV (.csv) files are supported.

    Can I update the data isafter in,uploading? youYes. canRe-upload startan buildingupdated dashboards.file to the same data source and choose Replace to overwrite the old data, or Append to add new rows.

    7.

    What happens if my column names change between uploads? If column names differ from the original upload, Vantage may create new columns. Keep column names consistent across uploads.

    Version Notes

    Last Updated: 04 SepOct 2026

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