Merging Device Data with CSV Files

With the Merge feature on the Update page, you can add new devices and update existing devices from a CSV file in one operation.

This is important because Vocera automatically loads any new devices when they connect to the server. Therefore, you can use the autoload feature to get all of your active devices entered into the system, export the device information as described in Exporting Data to a CSV File, combine the data with data from your previous badge inventory system, and then merge the data back into Vocera. Any new devices are added and existing devices are updated.

For each row in the CSV file, if the MAC address is new, a new device is added to the Vocera database. If the MAC address already exists in the Vocera database, new field values overwrite corresponding values in the database, blank field values leave the corresponding database values unchanged, and the literal string value *blank* in a CSV row erases the corresponding value in the database.

Important: You must specify a value in the MAC Address field (the first field in the CSV file) to indicate which Vocera database record to update. Otherwise, the record is skipped.

To merge device data with CSV files:

  1. Prepare a CSV file for the data you want to add and update.
  2. Click Maintenance in the navigation bar.
  3. Click the Update tab to display the Update page.
  4. In the Merge box, click Devices to specify the operation you want to perform.
  5. Click Browse and navigate to select the CSV file you want to use.
  6. Do either of the following:
    • Click Validate to examine the data in the CSV file for errors without modifying the database.
    • Click Update/Delete to update records in the database immediately.
    Vocera displays a dialog box showing you the progress of your action. When the action is finished, Vocera displays the progress as 100%.
  7. If necessary, click Show Errors to display the Errors dialog box. Vocera provides details to help you correct the error.
    Review any errors, then click OK to close the Errors dialog box.
  8. Click OK to close the Progress dialog box.