Overview
To successfully upload a CSV file to flowit, specific date columns must follow a strict format. Deviations will cause import errors or incorrect data processing.
Required columns
birthdate
start_date
termination_date
Required format
yyyy-mm-dd (year–month–day)
When should you use this optimization?
Before uploading employee data via CSV
If imports fail despite valid data
When switching between Excel and Google Sheets
If date fields appear empty or incorrect in flowit
Why it matters
Prevents upload failures
Ensures accurate calculation of age and employment dates
Creates a reliable data foundation for reviews and reports
How to adjust the date format
Excel
Select the column with date values
Right-click → Format Cells
Choose “Date”
Change locale from German to English
Select the first format (Year–Month–Day)
Save (click "OK")
Google Sheets
Select the date column
Open “Format”
Choose “Number”
Click “Custom date and time”
Enter: yyyy-mm-dd
Apply
✅ Recommended action
Always check date formats before uploading CSV files
Use yyyy-mm-dd consistently in all relevant columns
Test the upload with a small file (5–10 records)
Document the procedure internally for recurring uploads