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If you need to import from TimeMatters, Counsel Pro, Amicus, or Bulk upload documents contact support@actionstep.com to get the desktop importer.

Importing Overview Video

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The Data Import Tool is a powerful and flexible utility for importing and updating data. The tool supports your data in XLSX (preferred), XLS, and CSV formats. 

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The Import data screen shows the various import types that can be used.

Matter import types

  • Matters - matter information, matter billing settings, and custom data
  • File Notes - file notes and system notes
  • Multi-row Data - multi-row custom data for one or more matters
  • Parties - add parties to matters
  • Tasks - add or update matter-associated and non-matter-associated tasks
  • Trust Accounts -add or update a Trust account for one or more matters

Contact import types

  • Contacts - contacts and their accounting settings
  • Contact Notes - system or file notes on a contact record
  • Contact Relationships
  • Default Contact Types - assign default contact types to a contact

Billing import types

  • Time Entries - time entries for timesheets
  • Disbursements/Expenses - disbursements/expenses for timesheets
  • Quick-codes - add quick-codes and designate where they can be used in the system
  • Accounts Receivable - Imports your outstanding debtor balances split for each Fee credit lawyer by fees and Disbursements

Custom data import types

  • Dropdown Field Options - the options for a dropdown field in a custom data collection

Import order suggestions

The order below is what we would suggest that anyone performing all of the imports should do. This takes into account data that is dependent upon previous imports to establish a logical order.

This assumes the user has set up the items needed for each import to be successful. This includes setting up participant types, action types, rate labels, expense templates, and fee income accounts where necessary.

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Contacts - no dependency

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Contact notes - dependent upon contacts import

Contact relationships - dependent upon creating relationships

Default contact types - dependent upon setting up participant types

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Matters - dependent upon contacts

File notes - dependent upon matters

Mult-row data - dependent upon matters(contacts, if Linked-participant data field is supported)

Trust accounts - dependent upon matters

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Expenses/Disbursements - dependent upon matters/contacts

Parties - dependent upon matters/contacts

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Dropdown fields - (potentially) dependent upon multi-row data

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Quick-codes - no dependency

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Tasks - dependent upon contacts, optionally matters, optionally quick-codes

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Time entries - dependent upon contacts, optionally matters, optionally quick-codes

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Accounts receivables - dependent upon matter/contacts/account setup

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Collect your data

Data must be in XLSX, XLS, or CSV format.

Check your data

See Import Type Reference for acceptable data formats and a complete list of fields.

Useful Tips for Importing Data

  • Try import 1 row of data first before attempting large files to make sure everything works as expected
  • If you are worried about breaking your live system, consider signing up for a trial to test importing your data first, then run on your live system
  • Use a Microsoft Excel (xls or xlsx) file instead of CSV. This removes some common issues like date formatting
  • Review your data before importing by opening in excel and review a few lines to make sure there is no unusual data or poorly named columns
  • Most importantly, take your time with the import and don't rush!

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A matter import is being used in this example, however the same principles apply in each import. See the reference section of your import type for specifics.

Select “Start import” on your desired import

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Upload file

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  • File to import
    • Supported formats - XLSX (preferred), XLS, and CSV
  • Import mode
    • Insert new data - Add records
    • Update existing data - Update records
  • File type - format of the file to import

Select Next

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Column header

Actionstep attempts to automatically match the column headers to a corresponding field in Actionstep.

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Note

Field names/column headers in reference section will automatically be detected by Actionstep.

Field in Actionstep

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Here, you match your column to a specific field in Actionstep. ANY column can be mapped to ANY field. That is, the column headers can be Actionstep field names OR be named something else.

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Example

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If the matter type were entered in a column called “Matter Name,” Instead of changing the column name, you can map the Matter type field to that column.

Your data format

This column allows you to specify the format of the data in your import.

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Example

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In the image above, we’re selecting a matter type on the import. Here, we can specify whether we are using the Matter type ID or the Matter type name to identify the matter type.

Data
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Mapping

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Select Next

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Map data

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This screen will confirm that data is being mapped properly.

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Example

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In the previous Matter Type example, we set the Matter type to be specified by the matter type ID 11. The right column displays the Actionstep value for the ID as “Client Auditing.”

If the value is incorrect, it can be changed.

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Confirm

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To confirm the import, select the Begin import process button.

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After import

A screen will be displayed with the status of the import.

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If, for any reason, you need to undo the import, select “Attempt a rollback?”

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If any records on the import are rejected, they will be included in a downloadable failure file that provides the reasons for failure.

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After choosing to do a rollback, you will have to confirm the deletion of the previously imported data and select “Start rollback.”

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If the rollback was unsuccessful, a CSV with the failed records and failure reason can be downloaded.

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Bottom of Admin > Import data

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Every import is recorded in the History section of the import screen.

Created

Can be selected to view import summary or attempt a rollback:

Import

Displays the type of import and file used

Status

Displays the status of the import. If an import is pending, it can be selected and finished.

Total

Number of records imported, updated, or rolled back.

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Use the trash icon to delete the record. This does not affect imported items, just the record of the import.

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Required import fields are highlighted red. Fields required for updating data are highlighted yellow.

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titleMatters Import Reference

Matters Import Reference

Download Matters Import Reference.xlsx

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Number

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The section below is used to assign participants on a matter the actual name of the column would be Participant - Client or Participant - Attorney. 

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titleFile Notes Import Reference

File Notes Import Reference

Download File Notes Import Template.xlsx

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titleMulti-Row Data Import Reference

Multi-Row Data Import Reference

When importing multi-row custom data, you will be prompted to select the data collection into which you are importing. 

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Your data will be dependent upon the field types in your data collection. Each column should be mapped to a specific field. Below are all supported field types.

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Option 2

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titleParties Import Reference

Parties Import Reference

Download Parties Import Template.xlsx

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Participant type custom data can also be imported. Data format is determined by the custom field type.

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titleTasks Import Reference

Tasks Import Reference

Download Tasks Import Template.xlsx

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titleTrust Accounts Import Reference

Trust Accounts Import Reference

The Trust Accounts import is used to add trust accounts to matter.

Download Trust Accounts Import Template.xlsx

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titleTime Entries Import Reference

Time Entries Import Reference

Import billable and non-billable time.

Download Time Entries Import.xlsx

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Fields highlighted in green are required when the time entry is billable.

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Participant ID

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European (dd/mm/yyyy hh:mm)

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titleDisbursements/Expenses Import Reference

Disbursements/Expenses Import Reference

Download Disbursements - Expenses Import Template.xlsx

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titleQuick-codes Import Reference

Quick-codes Import Reference

Download Quick-codes Import Template.xlsx

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titleContacts Import Reference

Contacts Import Reference

Download Contacts Import Template.xlsx

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titleAccounts Receivable Import Reference

Accounts Receivable Import Reference

Download Accounts Receivable Import Template.xlsxSee updated article in Actionstep Help Center: https://support.actionstep.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025846813-Data-Import