Survey Points Manager - Import Data Guide

Master Data Import Techniques for Professional Survey Data Management

This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of importing survey data into Survey Points Manager, from basic file formats to advanced configuration options and troubleshooting techniques.

Image Description: Close-up of professional surveying equipment controls and display, representing the technical precision and user-friendly interface of Survey Points Manager's import functionality.

Supported File Formats

Survey Points Manager supports a wide range of industry-standard file formats, ensuring compatibility with virtually all survey equipment and software.

Text-Based Formats

Image Description: Professional surveyor in safety gear using measuring equipment, representing the field data collection that feeds into Survey Points Manager's import capabilities.

Geographic Formats

Survey Equipment Formats

Image Description: Professional surveyor in high-visibility safety gear working with construction equipment, representing the diverse survey equipment formats that Survey Points Manager supports.

Import Process

Image Description: Step-by-step screenshots showing the file selection process: clicking Browse button, navigating file explorer, selecting a survey data file, and confirming the selection. Each step is clearly numbered and annotated.

Step 2: Format Configuration

Automatic Format Detection

SPM automatically analyzes your file and suggests the most appropriate format settings:

• File Extension: Initial format guess based on extension
• Content Analysis: Examination of file structure and delimiters
• Pattern Recognition: Identification of coordinate patterns
• Validation: Verification of detected format

Manual Format Selection

If automatic detection is incorrect, manually select the appropriate format:

1. Format Dropdown: Choose from available formats
2. Delimiter Settings: Configure custom delimiters
3. Column Mapping: Map columns to data fields
4. Preview Update: Real-time preview of changes

Image Description: Screenshot of the format configuration section showing the format dropdown menu, delimiter options, column mapping interface, and real-time data preview. The interface demonstrates how users can customize import settings.

Step 3: Column Mapping

Standard Columns

Map your file columns to SPM data fields:

• Point Number: Unique identifier for each point
• Easting: X-coordinate (typically in meters)
• Northing: Y-coordinate (typically in meters)
• Elevation: Z-coordinate or height
• Description: Point description or code

Advanced Mapping Options

• Skip Columns: Ignore unnecessary columns
• Custom Order: Handle non-standard column orders
• Data Validation: Automatic validation of mapped data
• Preview Updates: Real-time preview of mapping changes

Common Column Arrangements

• Standard: Point, Easting, Northing, Elevation, Description
• GPS Order: Point, Northing, Easting, Elevation, Description
• Survey Order: Point, Description, Easting, Northing, Elevation
• Custom: User-defined column arrangement

Image Description: Detailed view of the column mapping interface showing dropdown menus for each column assignment, with sample data preview and validation indicators. The image shows how users can map file columns to SPM data fields.

Step 4: Data Preview and Validation

Preview Grid

Before importing, review your data in the preview grid:

• Sample Data: First 10-20 rows displayed
• Column Headers: Mapped field names shown
• Data Validation: Invalid data highlighted
• Format Verification: Confirm correct interpretation

Validation Checks

SPM performs automatic validation:

• Coordinate Format: Verify numeric coordinates
• Point Numbers: Check for duplicates
• Data Completeness: Identify missing required fields
• Range Validation: Detect unrealistic coordinate values

Error Handling

• Warning Messages: Non-critical issues highlighted
• Error Messages: Critical issues that prevent import
• Suggestions: Recommended corrections
• Continue Options: Proceed with warnings or fix errors

Image Description: Screenshot of the data preview grid showing sample imported data with validation indicators. Error and warning messages are displayed with clear explanations and suggested corrections.

Format-Specific Configuration

CSV/TXT File Configuration

Delimiter Settings

• Comma: Standard CSV format
• Semicolon: European CSV format
• Tab: Tab-separated values
• Space: Space-delimited text
• Custom: User-defined delimiter

Header Options

• First Row Headers: Use first row as column names
• No Headers: Data starts from first row
• Skip Rows: Skip specified number of rows
• Custom Headers: Define custom column names

Text Qualifiers

• Double Quotes: Standard text qualifier
• Single Quotes: Alternative text qualifier
• None: No text qualifiers used
• Custom: User-defined qualifier

Image Description: Detailed view of CSV/TXT configuration options showing delimiter selection, header settings, and text qualifier options. The interface includes examples of how different settings affect data interpretation.

KML File Configuration

Coordinate System Settings

• UTM Zone: Select appropriate UTM zone (1-60)
• Hemisphere: Choose North or South hemisphere
• Datum: Coordinate system datum selection
• Projection: Map projection parameters

Data Extraction Options

• Placemark Names: Use as point numbers
• Descriptions: Extract point descriptions
• Coordinates: Geographic coordinate extraction
• Elevation: Height data extraction

Conversion Settings

• Coordinate Order: Longitude/Latitude or Latitude/Longitude
• Unit Conversion: Automatic unit conversion
• Precision: Coordinate precision settings
• Validation: Geographic coordinate validation

Image Description: Screenshot of KML configuration interface showing UTM zone selection, hemisphere options, and coordinate system settings. The image includes a world map highlighting UTM zones for reference.

Survey Format Configuration

GSI Format Options

• Format Variant: 8-bit or 16-bit GSI
• Word ID Recognition: Automatic field identification
• Unit Settings: Meter, feet, or custom units
• Angle Format: Decimal degrees or DMS
• Code Extraction: Point code handling

SDR Format Options

• Data Type: Coordinate or measurement data
• Point Codes: Code extraction and mapping
• Measurement Units: Distance and angle units
• Quality Control: Data quality validation
• Batch Processing: Multiple file handling

Image Description: Interface showing survey format configuration options for GSI and SDR files, including format variant selection, unit settings, and data extraction options.

Advanced Import Features

Batch Import

Multiple File Processing

• File Selection: Select multiple files simultaneously
• Format Consistency: Apply same settings to all files
• Progress Tracking: Real-time import progress
• Error Reporting: Individual file error reports

Batch Configuration

• Global Settings: Apply settings to all files
• File-Specific: Individual file configurations
• Template Saving: Save configuration templates
• Automation: Automated batch processing

Data Transformation

Coordinate Transformation

• Unit Conversion: Automatic unit conversion
• Coordinate System: Transform between systems
• Offset Application: Apply coordinate offsets
• Rotation: Apply coordinate rotation

Data Filtering

• Point Range: Import specific point ranges
• Description Filter: Filter by point descriptions
• Coordinate Bounds: Import within coordinate bounds
• Quality Filter: Filter by data quality

Image Description: Screenshot showing advanced import features including batch processing interface, coordinate transformation options, and data filtering controls.

Performance Optimization

Large Dataset Handling

.NET 8 Version Advantages

• Memory Management: Optimized for large datasets
• Processing Speed: 25% faster than legacy versions
• Background Processing: Non-blocking operations
• Progress Feedback: Real-time progress updates

Legacy Version Considerations

• File Size Limits: Recommended limits for optimal performance
• Memory Usage: Monitor system memory during import
• Batch Processing: Process large files in smaller batches
• System Resources: Close unnecessary applications

Import Speed Optimization

File Preparation

• Clean Data: Remove unnecessary columns
• Consistent Format: Ensure consistent data format
• File Size: Split very large files if needed
• Validation: Pre-validate data when possible

System Optimization

• Available Memory: Ensure sufficient RAM
• Disk Space: Adequate free disk space
• Background Apps: Close unnecessary applications
• Network Files: Copy network files locally first

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Import Failures

"File Cannot Be Read" Error

Possible Causes:

• File is locked by another application
• Insufficient file permissions
• Corrupted file
• Unsupported file encoding

Solutions:

1. Close file in other applications
2. Check file permissions
3. Try opening file in text editor
4. Convert file encoding to UTF-8

"Invalid Data Format" Error

Possible Causes:

• Incorrect format selection
• Wrong delimiter settings
• Mixed data formats in file
• Non-numeric coordinate data

Solutions:

1. Verify format selection
2. Check delimiter settings
3. Examine file structure manually
4. Clean data in external editor

Image Description: Visual troubleshooting guide showing common import error messages and their step-by-step solutions. The image includes screenshots of error dialogs and resolution procedures.

Data Quality Issues

Coordinate Validation Errors

Common Issues:

• Coordinates outside expected range
• Swapped Easting/Northing values
• Wrong coordinate system
• Unit conversion errors

Solutions:

1. Verify coordinate system settings
2. Check column mapping
3. Validate coordinate ranges
4. Confirm unit settings

Missing or Invalid Data

Common Issues:

• Empty coordinate fields
• Non-numeric point numbers
• Missing elevation data
• Invalid characters in descriptions

Solutions:

1. Clean data before import
2. Use data validation tools
3. Set default values for missing data
4. Remove invalid characters

Best Practices

Data Preparation

File Organization

• Consistent Naming: Use consistent file naming conventions
• Folder Structure: Organize files by project or date
• Backup Files: Keep backup copies of original data
• Documentation: Document file formats and sources

Data Quality

• Validation: Validate data before import
• Consistency: Ensure consistent data formats
• Completeness: Check for missing data
• Accuracy: Verify coordinate accuracy

Import Workflow

Standard Process

1. Prepare Data: Clean and validate source data
2. Test Import: Test with small sample first
3. Configure Settings: Set up import parameters
4. Import Data: Perform full data import
5. Verify Results: Check imported data quality

Quality Control

• Sample Checking: Verify sample points manually
• Range Validation: Check coordinate ranges
• Duplicate Detection: Identify duplicate points
• Completeness Check: Ensure all data imported

Survey Points Manager - Professional data import made simple

Ready to export your data? Continue with the Export Data Guide to learn about data export options and formats.

Need help with import issues? Contact our support team for assistance with complex import scenarios.