---
title: "Import Excel or CSV by Column Names"
slug: "import-excel-or-csv-by-column-names"
updated: 2026-04-01T14:14:08Z
published: 2026-04-01T14:14:08Z
canonical: "documentation.decisions.com/import-excel-or-csv-by-column-names"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Import Excel or CSV by Column Names

## Overview

| ## Step Details |
| --- |
| **Introduced in Version** | 4.0.0 |
| **Last Modified in Version** | 9.3.0 |
| **Location** | Data > Excel and CSV |

The **Import Excel or CSV by Column Names** step takes in a CSV/Excel file and maps the desired columns to an Object List dynamically at runtime**.**

---

## Properties

#### Error Handling

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Extra Columns in Input | Will provide an error if extra columns are found in the input (**Add Outcome**: provides an outcome path, **Throw Exception**: throws an exception on reaching error, **Ignore and Continue**: will add an outcome path and ignore the error) | --- |
| Less Columns in Input | Will provide an error if the columns found are less than expected (**Add Outcome**: provides an outcome path, **Throw Exception**: throws an exception on reaching an error, **Ignore and Continue**: adds an outcome path and ignores the error) | --- |
| Value Conversion Error | Will send an error if a value can not be converted (**Add Outcome**: provides an outcome path, **Throw Exception**: throws an exception on reaching error, **Ignore and Continue**: add an outcome path and ignore the error) | --- |

#### Import Raw Lines

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Import Raw Lines | Adds data of the row into the specified field | --- |
|  | Into Property | Specify the mapped data field | --- |

#### Input Data

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Input File Type | Defines the data type of the input file | --- |
| CSV Delimiter | Defines the delimiter specified in the CSV file | --- |
| Ignore Quotes (Do not treat as escaped) | Ignores column names that contain quotes | Boolean |
| Input File Encoding | Defines the encoding type | --- |
| Number of Columns | Specifies the number of columns that will be imported | Int32 |
| Import All Worksheets **(Available in v9.3+)** | This setting allows all worksheets of an Excel file to be imported at once. | Boolean |

#### Output Data

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Output Data Type | Defines the output data type | --- |

#### Inputs

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| File Data | The CSV or Excel file | FileData |
| Column Mapping | Mapping data for columns | List of DynamicCSVMapping |

#### Outputs

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Done |
|  | Imported Data | Returns the data that was successfully imported | List of [Data Type] |
| Extra Columns Error |
|  | Actual Columns Number | Returns the number of columns | Int32 |
|  | Input Line | Returns the input line or error | Int32 |
|  | Line Number | Returns the line number of an error | Int32 |
| Less Columns Error |
|  | Actual Columns Number | Returns the number of columns | Int32 |
|  | Input Line | Returns the input line or error | Int32 |
|  | Line Number | Returns the line number of an error | Int32 |
| Value Conversion Error |
|  | Column Number | Returns the column number of an error | Int32 |
|  | Error Message | Returns the error message | String |
|  | Input Line | Returns the input line or error | Int32 |
|  | Line Number | Returns the line number of an error | Int32 |
|  | Source Value | Returns what the source value is | String |
|  | Target Type | Returns the expected data type | String |

## ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1775052680447.png)

---

## Common Errors

### A specified column cannot be found and matched.

This error appears when configuring the Column Mapping > FileColumnName field for this step. The field is case sensitive and must exactly match the column name in the Excel or CSV file.

```cpp
DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.FlowStep.RunStepInternal(String flowTrackingID, String stepTrackingID, KeyValuePairDataStructure[] stepRunDataValues, AbstractFlowTrackingData trackingData)
   at DecisionsFramework.Design.Flow.FlowStep.Start(String flowTrackingID, String stepTrackingID, FlowStateData data, AbstractFlowTrackingData trackingData, RunningStepData currentStepData)
```

---

## Feature Changes

| Description | Version | Date | Developer Task |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Select Import Excel or CSV steps (excluding Runtime Mappings) now include a setting that allows all worksheets in an Excel file to be imported at once. | [9.3](https://documentation.decisions.com/v99/docs/version-93x-release-notes?highlight=DT-041664) | October 2024 | [DT-041664] |

Related Forum Posts[Getting Values from an Excel File](https://community.decisions.com/discussion/25653/getting-values-from-excel-file-via-flow)

Training Video: [Dynamic Excel Creation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcIiRwi_8wo)