Import File Format for Manual Uploads
To successfully upload rosters into the DESSA platform, your Import file must conform to the requirements detailed in the Data Format Chart shown below. When crafting your upload, please verify that you have populated ALL required fields and that they match the specified format and are entered under the correct column.
- Column Header corresponds to the Header found in ROW 1 of your Import File
(DO NOT EDIT ROW 1, or the upload will fail) - Required Data indicates columns that must contain data in the accepted format for the upload to complete successfully, these fields are indicated in bold on the chart below.
(Data in these columns CANNOT be left blank) - Accepted Format details exactly how that data should be formatted for a successful upload.
Please note at the bottom of the page you will find a downloadable file containing an example of how your finished upload file should look (DESSA - File Formatting Guide). You will also find the (DESSA Education Import Template) that you will populate following the instructions in this article and referencing the Data Format Chart below.
👉 For information on completing a manual import of data, see the full article Imports: Adding Sites, Staff and Students
Data Format Chart
Column Header |
Required Data? |
Accepted Format |
| Student ID | Y | At least one non-whitespace character. Which MUST be UNIQUE within the Program |
| Last Name | Y | At least one non-whitespace character |
| First Name | Y | At least one non-whitespace character |
| Gender | Y | M,F,T,U,N, or X |
| DOB | Y | Date Format: mm/dd/yyyy |
| Grade Level | Y | K,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, or 12 |
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | N | Blank, ‘Y’, ‘N’ or 'U' |
| Asian | N | Blank, ‘Y’, ‘N’ or 'U' |
| Black or African American | N | Blank, ‘Y’, ‘N’ or 'U' |
| Hispanic or Latinx | N | Blank, ‘Y’, ‘N’ or 'U' |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | N | Blank, ‘Y’, ‘N’ or 'U' |
| White | N | Blank, ‘Y’, ‘N’ or 'U' |
| Other | N | Blank, ‘Y’, ‘N’ or 'U' |
| Staff Last Name | Y | At least one non-whitespace character |
| Staff First Name | Y | At least one non-whitespace character |
| Staff Email Address | Y | Email format, unique within the Org |
| Site Name | Y | At least one non-whitespace character |
| Special Education Services | N | Blank, ‘Y’ or ‘N’ |
| Section 504 Plan | N | Blank, ‘Y’ or ‘N’ |
| English Language Learner (ELL) |
N | Blank, ‘Y’ or ‘N’ |
| Eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Meals |
N | Blank, ‘Y’ or ‘N’ |
| Economically Disadvantaged | N | Blank, ‘Y’ or ‘N’ |
| McKinney-Vento Status | N | Blank, ‘Y’ or ‘N’ |
| Migrant | N | Blank, ‘Y’ or ‘N’ |
| Gifted/Talented | N | Blank, ‘Y’ or ‘N’ |
| Student Zip Code | N | Blank or 5-Digits |
| StateID | Can be left blank |