Overview
The Upload File option in the Canvs Import Data workflow is used to upload data files directly into Canvs for analysis. This method supports a variety of qualitative, text-based content types and allows users to import data from any source that can be saved in a supported file format. Use Upload File to import:
Surveys: Verbatims from structured questionnaires.
Transcripts: Verbatim text from interviews or conversations.
Social: Comments from social media platforms exported to a file (not connector-based imports).
Reviews: Customer feedback on products or services.
Other: Any other text-based qualitative data.
Step-by-Step: Import a File
Launch Upload File Workflow
In the Dataset Management dashboard, select Import Data in the upper-right corner.
On the import splash screen, choose Upload file to open the importer.
Select Data Source Category
Select one category from the secondary splash screen:
Survey: Responses from structured questionnaires.
Transcript: Verbatim text from interviews or conversations.
Social: Comments from social media platforms exported to a file.
Reviews: Customer feedback on products or services.
Other: Any other text-based qualitative data.
Upload the File
Drag and drop the file, or select Browse files to choose a file.
Supported file formats
.xlsx, .xls, .csv for Survey, Social, Reviews, and Other.
.vtt or .zip containing .vtt, .txt, or .doc are additionally supported for Transcripts.
Both single and multi‑tab spreadsheets are accepted.
Select File Structure
Users must indicate how the data is organized within the file. This allows Canvs to accurately interpret and analyze the data.
For Surveys
Tabs as questions: Each tab contains responses for a single question.
Columns as questions: Each column contains responses for a specific question.
Rows as questions: Questions and responses are stacked in rows within a column.
For Transcripts & Other
Tabs as groups: Each tab contains verbatims for a single group.
Columns as groups: Each column contains verbatims for a specific group.
Rows as groups: Groups and verbatims are stacked in rows within a column.
For Social & Reviews
Tabs as sources: Each tab contains comments for a single source.
Columns as sources: Each column contains comments for a specific source.
Rows as sources: Sources and comments are stacked in rows within a column.
Select Tab(s)
If Tabs as questions, groups or sources was selected, choose which tabs to import.
If Columns as questions, groups or sources or Rows as questions, groups or sources was selected and the file contains multiple tabs, select which tab to use.
Select the Header Row
Choose the header row. The header row marks the beginning of the data, and its column names will be used. The header row cannot be blank.
If Tabs as questions, groups or sources was selected and headers are consistent across tabs, select Apply header row to all remaining tabs. Otherwise, select a header row for each individual tab.
Select Column(s) Containing Questions
If Tabs as questions was selected and columns are consistent across tabs, choose Apply selection to all remaining tabs. Otherwise, select the column containing questions for each individual tab.
If Columns as questions, groups or sources was selected, this step in the workflow is skipped, and the user will be prompted to select column(s) containing verbatims (see below).
If Rows as questions, groups or sources was selected, choose the column that contains the questions. All unique values in that column will become questions.
Select Column(s) Containing Verbatims
If Tabs as questions was selected and columns are consistent across tabs, choose Apply selection to all remaining tabs. Otherwise, select the column containing verbatims for each individual tab.
If Columns as questions, groups or sources was selected, the selected column name in the header row will default as the question (group or source) name. Users can rename it if needed. They can also select multiple columns.
If Rows as questions was selected, select the column containing verbatims.
Note: Canvs now detects and warns when a selected verbatim column appears to be a filter (e.g., Region, Customer Type etc.). The system checks for low uniqueness and high repetition and flags the column before ingestion to prevent misclassification. See Filter Detection Warnings article here.
Select Column Containing Timestamps
Select a column that contains timestamps to enable chronological analysis and timeline views. This is an optional step and can be skipped.
Only one timestamp field is supported per file. If multiple are present, select the timestamp most relevant to analysis.
Select Filters & Keys
Select up to 50 Filters to be analyzed alongside verbatims.
Filters must be chosen during this stage. Once a project is uploaded, additional Filters cannot be added.
Filters can be renamed during this step (Label Filter As).
Users can also select up to 10 Keys during this step.
Columns containing unique IDs can be imported as Keys.
Columns are automatically marked as Keys if the number of unique values matches the total number of verbatims.
Keys are not displayed in the dashboard but are included in .xlsx exports.
Project Details
Complete project setup by adding analysis information, applying AI customizations, enabling Rules, and selecting management and tagging options.
Analysis information
Name (required): Name of project.
Business Context: Use this field to provide any context about the project that may help guide analysis.
Industry (required): Selected from a dropdown.
Type (required): Selected from a dropdown.
Enable Translation (optional): Translate all collected comments into English via Google Translate. This feature is available only to users subscribed to Canvs Translation; it will not appear in the platform for users without this subscription.
Toggles:
Edit all waves (batches or sessions)
This toggle allows users to apply all analysis information, AI customization, and management and sharing selections to all waves (batches or sessions).
Edit all projects
This toggle allows users to apply all analysis information, AI customization, and management and sharing selections to all projects.
Add to existing project
This toggle allows users to add data to an existing project within Canvs.
Select the desired project in the Name dropdown. Industry, Type, Business Context fields will autofill.
Customizations:
Add Custom AI Story Assist Questions: Define up to 3 questions for Canvs to answer upon import. These questions are analyzed automatically with every batch of data.
Include Canvs AI Overviews: Select this option to generate an AI-generated summary of key findings amongst all comments. This option is selected by default.
AI Analysis Customization: Fine-tune Canvs analysis by providing optional instructions for how Nets and Codes should be generated.
General Instructions: Users can describe, at a high level, what an ideal summary should look like for their unique business needs. Canvs will use these instructions as a guide.
Preferred Nets: Users can define up to 5 Preferred Nets to represent specific categories in the AI-powered summary. Canvs will organize the AI-powered Codes into these Preferred Nets and will generate additional Nets as needed.
Apply Rules (Optional): Apply a custom code frame to categorize incoming data automatically in the Summary. Users must select at least one Rule Group from the dropdown.
Management & Sharing
Analysis Summary Email: Choose up to four additional team members to receive email notifications (five total users). When processing completes, the email includes:
Confirmation of project details
A preview of the project’s High‑Trust Canvs Overview
Any Custom Questions answered by AI Story Assist
Tags: Add tags to better organize projects within the Dataset Management dashboard. Add multiple by separating with a comma.
Final Review and Submission
After configuration, users are taken to the Review before submitting screen. Users should review all settings and correct any errors before clicking Submit.
Canvs Credit calculation is displayed at this stage on the left-hand side of the screen.
Advanced Notes:
If the user selects Columns as questions,groups or sources, or Rows as questions , groups or sources, they will have the option to split the file using Advanced Options.
File contains multiple waves (batches or sessions): Use when one project includes multiple waves (batches or sessions) of data (e.g., a tracker).
File contains multiple projects: Use when the file contains more than one project.
Select neither if splitting is not required.
If "File Contains Multiple..." was enabled via Advanced Options:
Select Column Containing Wave or Project
Waves (batches or sessions): Select a column containing Waves (batches or sessions). These can be renamed during this step.
Projects: Select a column containing Projects. Projects can be renamed during this step.
File Formatting considerations:
Hidden rows and columns are supported; all data will be imported based on selection.
Formulas are supported; the value of the formula is imported.
Text formatting (fonts, bold, italics, colors, highlighting) is ignored and plain-text is imported.
Limitations
Maximum 150,000 verbatims per single wave (batch or session).
A maximum of 50 Filters and 10 Keys are supported per upload.
Canvs analyzes any text that passes through the pipeline, with no character or size limits on individual verbatims. However, longer verbatims may result in increased processing times.
Blank text and empty cells are ignored and do not count toward the verbatim total. For example, if an uploaded Excel file contains 300 rows but 100 are blank, only 200 verbatims will be counted in the upload.