The Data Uploader imports pets, adopters, fosters, and volunteers from .csv, .xls, or .xlsx files. Open Settings > Records & Data > Data Uploader.

Choose a record type before starting. The uploader uses that record's current form configuration to show expected, required, and optional fields. Adopter, foster, and volunteer imports require a configured default form template.

Three-Step Import

1. Upload

Select or drop a spreadsheet. Use one header row and one record per row. PawPlacer reads the columns and prepares a preview; it does not write records at this step.

2. Map

Review how spreadsheet columns map to PawPlacer fields.

Exact matches are accepted automatically.
Possible matches must be confirmed.
You can choose another source column or leave an optional field unmapped.
Required fields must be mapped before continuing.

Use the All, Needs Review, and Unmatched filters or search for a field. Open a mapping row to inspect its type and import behavior.

3. Review and Upload

The review step separates:

Rows ready to import
Invalid rows that will be skipped
Advisory rows that will be imported with normalized values
Unresolved pet references

Download the error report for excluded rows, correct the source file if needed, or continue with the valid rows. Nothing is written until you confirm Upload.

Normalization

The importer handles common spreadsheet variations, including:

Whitespace and empty placeholder cleanup
Common yes/no formats
List values separated by commas, semicolons, or pipes
Species, sex, size, coat, health, and age-category variants
Microchip values stored as strings so leading zeroes are retained
Status labels mapped to the organization's current pet statuses
Custom fields from the selected form template

The review screen shows important defaults and status-import choices before data is saved.

Linking Pets

Import pets first with stable custom_id values. Adopter and foster files can then include a pet_ids column containing PawPlacer pet UUIDs or custom IDs; separate multiple references with commas.

The review step identifies unresolved references. Valid references can create historical adoption links or foster assignments as part of the import.

Help

Use the uploader's contact action when a spreadsheet needs migration help.

Permissions

Data Uploader requires Administrator access.

Three-Step Import

1. Upload

Select or drop a spreadsheet. Use one header row and one record per row. PawPlacer reads the columns and prepares a preview; it does not write records at this step.

2. Map

Review how spreadsheet columns map to PawPlacer fields.

Exact matches are accepted automatically.

Possible matches must be confirmed.

You can choose another source column or leave an optional field unmapped.

Required fields must be mapped before continuing.

Use the All, Needs Review, and Unmatched filters or search for a field. Open a mapping row to inspect its type and import behavior.

3. Review and Upload

The review step separates:

Rows ready to import

Invalid rows that will be skipped

Advisory rows that will be imported with normalized values

Unresolved pet references

Download the error report for excluded rows, correct the source file if needed, or continue with the valid rows. Nothing is written until you confirm Upload.

Normalization

The importer handles common spreadsheet variations, including:

Whitespace and empty placeholder cleanup

Common yes/no formats

List values separated by commas, semicolons, or pipes

Species, sex, size, coat, health, and age-category variants

Microchip values stored as strings so leading zeroes are retained

Status labels mapped to the organization's current pet statuses

Custom fields from the selected form template

The review screen shows important defaults and status-import choices before data is saved.

Linking Pets

Import pets first with stable custom_id values. Adopter and foster files can then include a pet_ids column containing PawPlacer pet UUIDs or custom IDs; separate multiple references with commas.

The review step identifies unresolved references. Valid references can create historical adoption links or foster assignments as part of the import.