Importing Data from an Excel File into GridIron

GridIron supports data sourced from Excel files (.xlsx format), allowing you to manage your content in familiar spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice, or Apple Numbers (with export). This guide walks you through preparing, uploading, and linking your Excel file to GridIron.

1. What Is an Excel File?

An Excel file typically refers to a .xlsx document created in Microsoft Excel or compatible applications. It stores tabular data in rows and columns, and supports features like formulas, formatting, and multiple sheets.

Supported Formats:

• .xlsx files (Excel 2007 and later)
• Single-sheet documents (GridIron uses the first worksheet)
• UTF-8 or standard character encoding

2. How to Create an Excel File

You can create .xlsx files using:

Microsoft Excel

1. Open Excel and enter your data in the first worksheet.
2. Format headers in the first row (e.g. Name, Email, Role).
3. Save the file as Excel Workbook (.xlsx).

LibreOffice Calc (Free)

1. Open Calc and populate your data.
2. Use File > Save As and choose Excel 2007–365 (.xlsx) as the format.
3. Confirm that sheet 1 contains your primary dataset.

Apple Numbers

1. Create your spreadsheet and fill in your data.
2. Use File > Export To > Excel to save as .xlsx.

Only the first worksheet will be read by GridIron. Please ensure all relevant data is on Sheet 1.

3. Best Practices and Common Pitfalls

To ensure reliable results when using Excel files with GridIron:

Do:

• Use clear headers in the first row.
• Keep formulas simple and Excel-compatible.
• Ensure consistent data types within each column (e.g. all dates, or all text).

Avoid:

• Merged cells—they are not supported.
• Hidden rows or columns—they may not import properly.
• Unused extra sheets—only the first is read, others are ignored.
• Password-protected files.

4. Uploading the Excel File

You can either upload the .xlsx file to your server via FTP or attach it directly within your RapidWeaver or Stacks App project.

Option A: FTP Upload

1. Use an FTP client (e.g. Transmit, FileZilla).
2. Upload the file to a directory such as /htdocs/files/yourdata.xlsx on your web server.
3. Note the full URL (e.g. https://yourdomain.com/files/yourdata.xlsx).

Option B: Add to Resources

1. In RapidWeaver or Stacks, open the Resources window.
2. Drag and drop the .xlsx file into the window.

5. Linking the Excel File in GridIron

Once uploaded:

1. Add a GridIron stack to your page.
2. Set the Data Source to Local (default).
3. In the GridIron settings, click on the Set Link button to select the Excel file. Either use a URL or select a resource.

6. Preview and Adjust Your Output

Switch to Preview mode to see your data rendered by GridIron:

• Tables will reflect your spreadsheet columns and rows.
• GridIron will interpret data types automatically (e.g. numbers, dates).
• You can customise the layout using built-in display options (tables, cards, lists, etc.).

If anything looks incorrect (e.g. missing headers), revisit your Excel file to ensure:

• No blank rows at the top
• The file is saved in .xlsx format (not .xls or .xml)