1. Prepare the Excel file

  • Ensure the file you work with is an Excel sheet in .xlsx format.

  • Excel uses your laptop’s regional settings. The preferred setting is English (UK).


2. Validate the file

  • Open the file on your computer and check that all formats and values are correct (see Format of Files for the Upload Service).

  • Save the file to your laptop as an .xlsx file. Keep this original file so you can update it later with new data.


3. Convert to tab-delimited format

  • Choose Save As.

  • Select Excel Workbook (.xlsx) first to ensure the file is saved.

  • Then choose Save As again and select Tab Delimited (.txt).


4. Upload the file

  • Go to the Upload Service.

  • Upload the .txt file to the correct folder for the observation type. Each observation type has its own folder.

  • Important: Do not open the .txt file in Excel or Numbers after saving.

  • Rename the file to .tsv (e.g., Elephant.txt → Elephant.tsv).

  • Upload runs every evening (European time). Results will appear in Focus or WildCAT the next day.


 

5. Updating your data

  • Update your .xlsx file.

  • Save the file as .xlsx, then again as Tab Delimited (.txt).

  • Upload the new .txt file to the correct folder in the Upload Service.

  • Rename the file from .txt to .tsv.