Alfabet FastLane enables you to collect and upload data in XSLX files that are generated in the Data Capture view. When you select a business question in the Business Question field, a diagram is displayed that shows all the object classes that you need to collect data for to provide meaningful data for the business question. Each object class has a dedicated XLSX file based on the business question you select. The XLSX file that is generated includes only the relevant attributes needed to answer the business question.

Users capturing the data must have a spreadsheet program installed on their computer to process the XLSX files. When the XLSX file is generated, all existing objects based on the selected object class will be exported to the XLSX file and may be changed and reimported. Each exported object constitutes a row in the XLSX file. The first column displays an Operations column with options to create, change, delete, or not change the object in the row. The Operations column must be defined for every row. The subsequent columns represent the attributes to capture for the object. Depending on the property type to capture, users can enter a value in a cell or select a value in a drop-down list of a cell. New objects can be added to the XLSX file by setting the Operations cell in the new row to Create and defining the other columns as needed.

Upon import, all valid data captured in the XLSX file will overwrite existing data in the database. A validation process will be executed and a status report will indicate the number of records that have been successfully imported and the number of invalid records that were not imported with an explanation of the error. The user can correct the invalid data directly in the status report and subsequently import the corrected data to Alfabet FastLane.

To export, collect, and import data via XLSX files:

1. Update the content area with object classes to capture: Select the business question you want to answer in the Business Question field and click Update. Alternatively, you can collect data for a specified class by defining the Object Class filter.

2. Generate the XLSX file for an object class: The content area shows a diagram with class elements representing the object classes. The object classes should be processed in the sequence of the numbers displayed on the class elements in the diagram. The sequence is important because of dependencies between the object classes. Select the first object class you want to capture and click Data Capture > Generate the Data Capture Template. Alternatively, you can click Download the Data Capture Template to download the previously generated data capture template.
3. Access the event notification and download the XLSX file. The events to generate the data capture templates are asynchronous. When the XLSX file is ready, you can download it in the event notification dialog. Click the download symbol and save the XLSX file to your local drive or network.
4. Add new data or modify existing data in the XLSX file: You can create new data, updating existing data, delete data, or not change data in the XLSX file. Please note the following:
   • Use the Help tab in the XLSX file to find information about the data required in each column.
   • Do not change the name of the XLSX file.
   • Do not add additional columns, change the name of columns, or change the format of the data.
   • Define all mandatory properties.
   • Ensure that start and end dates are correct. An end date may not be before the start date.
   • Define the Operation column for every row including those that you do not update. If the operation is not defined for a record, the record will be invalid even if no change is made. The following options can be selected:
     • Create: Select to create a new record. Define the new record in an empty row in the XLSX file and define the relevant columns as needed.
     • Update: Select if one or more properties, role types, indicator types, or lifecycle phases shall be modified for the record. Note that data capture templates for object relations and authorized objects do not support the Update operation.
     • Delete: Select if the entire record shall be irrevocably deleted. This should be used in exceptional cases. There is no undo action if an object is deleted from the database.
     • No Change: Select if no modification shall be made to the record.
5. Import the data in the XLSX file: Click Data Capture > Upload Data Capture File and select the XLSX file to import the updated data.
6. Review the success of the import: Select an object class in the content area and click Data Capture > Open Data Capture Status Report.