--- title: "Setting Up Automated CSV Imports" slug: "setting-up-automated-csv-imports" status: "update" updated: 2026-09-06T11:40:19Z published: 2026-09-06T11:40:19Z canonical: "support.builtapp.com/setting-up-automated-csv-imports" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.builtapp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Setting Up Automated CSV Imports --- This article explains how to schedule automatic CSV imports from your [HRIS](/v1/docs/supported-api-integrations#supported-hris-integrations). ## Setting up an SFTP First, you or your IT department will need to set up an SFTP account on a server with a folder where your system can regularly update a CSV (Comma Separated Values) data file. You must then create login credentials (username and password) to allow Built to access the server. ## To set up the automated import: *Only Company Admins and HR Admins can manage company settings. Learn more about* [*managing user roles and permissions*](/v1/docs/managing-user-roles-and-permissions)*.* 1. Once the SFTP server is set up, you’ll need to map the fields in your data file to existing fields in Built by logging in to your account and manually [importing your people or positions list](/v1/docs/importing-your-people-or-positions-list). For example, your file may have a field called "Emp ID" which you'll map to our "Employee ID" field. The automated importer will use these field mappings to process future file imports. 2. After the initial manual import is complete, click your company name at the top of the main navigation, then click **Company Settings**. 3. Click the **Imports** tab. *If the Imports tab is not initially visible, click* ***More.*** 4. Locate the **General Import Settings** section, then click the **Edit** button. 5. Use the dropdown to choose what happens to a position when the person filling it is terminated during an import: **Keep the position open** or **Delete the position**. Click **Save.** [Understanding the importance of position IDs](/v1/docs/understanding-the-importance-of-position-ids) can help you decide which option meets your needs. *This setting applies to imports only. When* [*terminating a person's employment*](/v1/docs/adding-people-to-your-account-and-managing-their-records#to-update-a-persons-employee-status) *manually in Built, you must delete the position manually, if needed.* 6. Next, locate the **FTP Import Settings** section, click the **Edit** button, then select **Yes** to enable the FTP Import. 7. When the **Protocol** field appears, click the dropdown and select **SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol** or **FTP** - **File Transfer Protocol.** *If your server only supports FTP, it must be secured with TLS (Transport Layer Security).* 8. In the **Host** field, enter the name or IP address of your server (e.g., ftp.yourcompany.com). 9. You may leave the **Port** field blank unless your server must be accessed using a non-standard port. 10. Select an authentication method, **SSH Key** (recommended) or **Password**, then enter the credentials needed to access your server. *If you selected SSH Key, click the link provided to generate the key, then copy it and add it to the authorized keys on your SFTP server, allowing Built to connect.* 11. If the login credentials provided in the previous step don't automatically access the folder where your data file resides, enter the path to that folder in the **CSV Folder Path** field. You may enter either an *absolute* or a *relative* folder path. 12. Click the **Test Connection** button. Built will use the information you've provided to try to connect to your server. You'll see a message indicating whether the attempt was successful. If it fails, an error message should help identify the cause. If you need additional help diagnosing an error, please have your IT staff contact our Customer Success Team. 13. When the connection test is successful, you can set a desired import frequency for automatically importing your data file: **Daily** or **Weekly**. If you select *daily*, a second dropdown will be displayed, allowing you to schedule updates once, twice, or three times a day. Refer to the schedule below to understand the specific time these daily imports will occur: - Imports scheduled to run once a day occur at 12 am. - Imports scheduled to run twice a day occur at 12 am and 12 pm. - Imports scheduled to run three times a day occur at 12 am, 8 am, and 4 pm. *Scheduled imports will run according to the timezone specified for your company's default location. Learn more about* [*managing locations*](/v1/docs/utilizing-the-department-field) *in Built.* 14. Enter an email address where the system can send a notification email each time the automated import process completes. *If you choose to import daily, you'll receive an email each day, so you may want to set up a rule in your email account to automatically folder these notifications.* 15. Click **Save**. The system will automatically log in to your server on the requested schedule and process the CSV file that has the most recent timestamp. Your HRIS can either update the existing data file or place a new file on your server. In either case, Built will process the newest file. Please contact our Customer Success Team for additional assistance. ## Additional Resources [Importing Your People or Positions List](/v1/docs/importing-your-people-or-positions-list) [Ensuring Your CSV File Imports Successfully](/v1/docs/ensuring-your-csv-file-imports-successfully) [Importing People-Centric Versus Position-Centric Data](/v1/docs/importing-people-centric-versus-position-centric-data)