File headers and data rows

Header record

The header row is mandatory and is the first record in the file. It must contain the locator number in the first field and the import flag in the sixth field. The other fields include the partnership name, client code, and export source code and are optional.
Additional Requirements
  • Comma
    : Enclose each data field in the header record with quotes and follow it with a comma. Don't put a comma after the last data field, which is the replacement flag. If a data field is blank, keep using quotes and commas as if it had data. Missing a comma will trigger an "invalid number of data fields" error.
  • Replacement Flag
    : The replacement flag is the last data field in the header record. It determines which data gets erased in the target tax return before you import. If the replacement flag isn't one of the four accepted values, the file won't show up in the list of files available for import.
Data Rows
  • After the header record, you can have any number of data rows. Each data row imports one value into a specific field. Make sure each data row has nine mandatory fields. Just like the header row, enclose each field in quotes and separate them with commas.
  • Every field in the tax application that's ready for import has a unique form name and field name combo. You need to put the unique form name in the 1st column and the field name in the 7th column of a data row.
  • Columns 2 through 6 only accept non-negative integers. These numbers specify which group member or line of a detail box the data should go into. For example, in a 1065 return under Partner Information, you can add partners using "Add new Partner Name." Each partner gets their own copy of the same screen with the same fields, and a number is needed to distinguish which copy a form and field combo should import the data into. There are five group numbers. For any number that's not applicable to a field, enter a 0 in that column. If a group number is applicable, enter the positive integer that corresponds to the copy number (or line number of a detail box) in that column.
  • The 8th column holds the data you're importing or exporting. This data must match the field's data type. For instance, importing "ABC" into a Dollar type field will cause an error.
  • The 9th column only contains the letter O. O stands for Organizer. In Direct K-1, since import is allowed for all types of screens – organizer, tax form, workpaper – all fields are marked as O.
  • Make sure to separate every data row from the ones above and below it with a carriage return or line break. If two or more data rows share the same line in a text file, the import process won't be able to tell the rows apart. This will cause an error indicating there are more than nine columns on the same line. The final data row in an import file must also have a carriage return following it, which results in an empty line at the bottom of the import file.
This is an example of a data row:
"GENERAL INFORMATION","0","0","0","0","0","COMPANY NAME","Grube Corporation","O"
Data fields
Field
Contents
Explanation
1
Form name
Data Dictionary form name; used in combination with the field name, maximum 20 characters
2
Copy number
Activity and group data primary identifier, maximum value 65535
3
Group number
Group data secondary identifier, maximum value 65535
4
Subgroup number
Group data tertiary identifier, maximum value 65535
5
Data group 4
Group data quaternary identifier, maximum value 65535
6
Data group 5
Group data quinary identifier, maximum value 65535
7
Field name
Data dictionary field name; used in combination with the form name, maximum 30 characters
8
Field value
Place the data you want to import into a field in this column. When exporting, the current data in this field will appear in this column. Refer to the file set for the data type and the maximum field length.
9
Data source code
O
, ; specifies if the screen containing the field is Organizer.
Additional details
  • To delete data from a field through import, the field value (eighth column) should be blank (no space) in between the quotation marks.
  • Once created, group numbers are fixed. If you create 3 partners with numbers 1, 2, and 3 and later delete partner 2, partner 3 will still be associated with number 3 when importing and exporting, regardless of the visual order of the partners in a locator.
To access any field’s properties, right-click it inside a locator and select
Field Info
. To access any field’s line item from the Excel workbook file set, right-click on the field inside a locator and select
Data Dictionary
.
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