---
schema_version: "1"
id: f809b05bd1b2030436080a787d53d136f277227ab26091035fd09b0fa687118e
title: Create Datasets from Uploaded CSV Files
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/analytics/264-0-0/bi_integrate_upload_csv_ui.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_integrate_upload_csv_ui.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 0c4a11d24f67be0e1cf713344298e94afee38207e0821e75f05285fabecb5f3c
description: Use the upload user interface to create a single dataset based on external .csv data. To refresh the data, you can overwrite the data in the dataset by uploading a new .csv file.
products:
  - CRM Analytics
  - Cross Cloud
release: "264"
---
# Create Datasets from Uploaded CSV Files

Use the upload user interface to create a single dataset based on external .csv data. To refresh the data, you can overwrite the data in the dataset by uploading a new .csv file.

When CRM Analytics loads any data into a dataset, it also adds metadata about each column of data. For example, metadata can include the field type, precision, scale, and default value.

When you upload a .csv file, CRM Analytics infers metadata about each column in the file. CRM Analytics previews all inferred settings. If needed, you can change the metadata in the user interface before uploading the data.

![Note](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-analytics-bi-264-0-0-production-enus/ec791473-f5b4-4f64-a656-9104f455d966/images/icon_note.png)

Note You can also specify the metadata in a metadata file. A _metadata file_ is a JSON file that describes the structure of an external data file. After you create a dataset based on an external data file, you can edit the dataset to apply a new metadata file. This enables you to change the metadata attributes of each column. For more information about the metadata file, see the [Analytics External Data API Developer Guide](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-ext-data/guide/bi-ext-data-overview.html) .

CRM Analytics temporarily stores the uploaded CSV and metadata files for processing only. After a dataset is created, CRM Analytics purges the files.

- **[Upload a CSV File to Create a Dataset](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dataset_create.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)**  
    You can upload external data in a .csv format through the user interface. When you upload a .csv file, CRM Analytics infers the metadata about each column in the .csv file. Metadata describes the structure of the data in the file, like the data type, precision, and scale. If you upload a .csv from the user interface, CRM Analytics automatically generates the metadata, which you can preview and change.
- **[Rules for Automatic Generation of a Metadata File](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_integrate_metadata_file_generation_requirements.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)**  
    When you upload a CSV file from the user interface, Analytics automatically generates the metadata file as long as the CSV file meets certain requirements.
- **[Monitor an External Data Upload](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_integrate_systemjob_monitoring.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)**  
    When you upload an external data file, CRM Analytics kicks off a job that uploads the data into the specified dataset. You can use the Monitor tab of the data manager to monitor and troubleshoot the upload job.
- **[Set a Source Time Zone for .CSV Data](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_integrate_csv_upload_timezonesettings.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)**  
    When you upload .csv data to create or update a dataset, you can select the time zone of the data if it’s not GMT.

#### See Also

- [Create Datasets Programmatically from CSV Files Using the External Data API](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_integrate_upload_csv_external_data_api.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "You can use the External Data API to create a single dataset based on external data in a .csv file. You can also use the API to edit the dataset by uploading a new .csv file. When you edit the dataset, you can choose to overwrite all records, append records, update records, or delete records.")