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Importing Sample Points

Summary

This guide explains how to add sample points in bulk by importing a Sample Point EDD. Bulk import is the best option when you need to create many sample points at once. To add points individually, see the Adding Sample Points in the User Interface article. Sample points must exist in ENFOS before you can upload field or lab data to them.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Navigate to the site (level 17) or AOC (level 20) in the hierarchy, depending on where data is defined in system settings.
  2. Navigate to the Scientific Data Module and select Sample Points. A list of existing sample points appears in the window.
  3. From the Actions drop down menu in the top right, select Import.
  4. To view the EDD format and download a blank .CSV template, click Sample Point Format.
    1. Note: The EDD format and relevant valid values can also be downloaded.
  5. Populate the .CSV file with your sample point data.
  6. To load a completed Sample Point EDD to ENFOS, select Import, then click Add.
  7. Click Choose File to select your populated file, and click Save to run the import.
  8. Once processed, the imported sample points appear in the sample point list for the site or AOC.
    1. If successful, the EDD will show in Lab status.
    2. If there are errors, the EDD will show in Fixup Required status until the errors are addressed the and EDD is rerun.

Tips and Best Practices

  • Aliases: An alias lets you import lab and/or field data under a different name while still associating it with the correct sample point. Multiple aliases can be added as comma separated values. For example, if ENFOS has "MW-01" but the incoming data (or COC) uses "MW1", adding "MW1" as an alias lets ENFOS match that data to sample point MW-01 and reduces errors and fix ups.
  • Naming conventions: Keep sample point names clean and consistent. There is no need to build the sampling date or depth into the name, because the Field Sample Name and Lab Sample Name fields tied to each sample point capture that detail. For example, use MW-1 as the sample point name with MW-1-20250324 as the field sample name, or SB-1 as the sample point name with SB-1-2" as the field sample name. Standardizing your naming approach across the site (level 17) or AOC (level 20) makes points easier to find and helps reduce errors.
  • Date and character formatting: Ensure date formats are correct, since Excel can revert date formats when files are saved as .CSV. To avoid errors with special characters, save all EDD files in .CSV UTF-8 format.
  • Overwriting EDDs: Importing EDDs with the same file name will prompt ENFOS to overwrite an existing EDD, moving the original file to the Documents section for that EDD's reference ID.

Common Questions

Where do I get the import template? Open the Sample Points window, choose Import from the Actions menu, and click Sample Point Format to view the required format.

Can I import sample points for more than one Site or AOC at a time? Yes, using the Above Data Node version of the EDD allows for bulk importing of sample points for multiple sites or AOCs.

Can I delete unused columns from the EDD? No, the ENFOS database reads EDD columns by position, not name. All columns must be included for the EDD to process successfully.

How can I update sample point data using an EDD? You can overwrite sample point fields by loading an EDD with new data for existing sample points. Note that any fields left blank in the EDD will also overwrite existing data.