Parabola's CSV parser
What is a CSV?
CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files are simple, widely-used text files that store tabular data where each line represents a row, and values are separated by commas. These versatile files are compatible with most data processing tools and spreadsheet applications, making them a popular choice for data storage and transfer. CSVs can contain any type of structured data, from sales records to customer information.
How to use Parabola's CSV Parser
Parabola makes working with CSV files intuitive and powerful, offering a visual interface to transform and standardize your data without coding. Here are the key benefits:
- Drag-and-drop interface for easy data manipulation, including: counting days between dates, replacing values, and removing duplicate rows or values
- Real-time preview of your data transformations
- Automated processing of CSV files of any size
- Seamless integration with other data sources and destinations (eg., email data)
- Built-in AI capabilities for advanced data extraction
Learn more about parsing CSVs with Parabola below.
Use CSV file
The Use CSV file step enables you to pull in tabular data from a CSV, TSV, or a semicolon delimited file.
Custom Settings
The first thing to do when using this step is to either drag a file into the outlined box or select "Click to upload a file".
Once the file is uploaded and displayed in the Results tab, you'll see two settings on the lefthand side: File and Delimiter. You can click File to upload a different file. Parabola will default to using a comma delimiter, but you can always update the appropriate delimiter for your file by clicking on the Delimiter dropdown. Comma , , tab \t, and semi-colon ; are the three delimiter types we support.
In the "Advanced Settings", you can set a number of rows and a number of columns to skip when importing your data. This will skip rows from top-down and columns from left-to-right. You can also select a Quote Character which will help make sure data with commas in the values/cells don’t disrupt the CSV structure.
Helpful Tips
- Security: the files you upload through this step are stored by Parabola. We store the data as a convenience, so that the next time you open the flow, the data is still loaded into it. Your data is stored securely in an Amazon S3 Bucket, and all connections are established over SSL and encrypted.
- Limitations: Parabola can't pull in updates to this file from your computer automatically, so you must manually upload the file's updates if you change the original file. Formatting and formulas from a file will not be preserved. When you upload this file, all formulas are converted to their value and formatting is stripped.
Generate CSV file
The Generate CSV file step enables you to export tabular data in a CSV file. This lets you create custom datasets from a variety of sources in your flow. THe CSVs are automatically sent to your (or your colleagues') email. You can also download them after the flow fully runs, from the run history.
Custom Settings
Once you connect your flow to this export step, it will show a preview of the tabular data to be sent.
The step will automatically send this downloadable CSV file link to your Parabola account's email address.
The name of the file will be the step's title, so if you'd like to name your custom dataset file, you can double-click on it to write a new one.
Once you publish and run your flow, the emailed CSV file link will expire after 24 hours.
If the step has no data in it (0 rows), then even after running your flow, an email with a CSV file won't be sent.
You can download past CSVs that were generated with this step by opening the Run History panel, navigating to the Flow run, and click Download CSV.
Helpful Tips
Security
The files you send through this step are stored by Parabola. We store the data as a convenience, so that the next time you open the flow, the data is still loaded into it. Your data is stored securely in an Amazon S3 Bucket, and all connections are established over SSL and encrypted.
Limitations
Only one input source can be connected to this step at a time. If you have multiple flows on a canvas, or have a multi-branch flow, you can email CSVs of these other datasets by connecting them to individual Generate CSV file steps.