Workflow Tasks - Delimited Files

Overview

Workflow Tasks provide advanced mapping capabilities for importing delimited files (CSV, TSV, etc.) into MachShip. This feature allows you to create custom mappings between your file format and MachShip's fields, supporting complex data transformations and validations.

Key Features:

  • Custom field mapping
  • Data transformation rules
  • Flexible file handling
  • Error management
  • Validation controls

Configuration

Basic Setup

  1. Access Workflow Tasks

    • Navigate to Admin → Other Options
    • Select Workflow Task

  2. Create New Task

    • Click Create Workflow Task
    • Enter required information:
      • Name
      • Abbreviation
      • Company
      • Workflow Task Type (Consignment Importer)
      • Mapping Type (Delimited File Mapper)

  3. Enable Configuration

    • Set "Is Enabled" to Yes
    • Set inheritance if needed
    • Configure email notifications

File Options

Configure how your delimited files are processed:

  • Rows to Skip: Number of header or redundant rows to skip
  • Rows to Skip at End: Number of footer rows to skip
  • Contains Headers: Enable if file has column headers
  • Delimiter: Specify custom delimiter (default is comma)
  • Trim Fields: Remove leading/trailing whitespace
  • Fail on Missing Field: Control validation strictness
  • Fail on Missing Header: Validate header presence
  • Quote all Fields: Force quotes around all fields
  • Ignore Bad Data: Skip problematic records
  • Ignore Quotes: Remove quotes from processing

Property Mapping

Define how file fields map to MachShip fields:

  1. Click Add Property Map Option
  2. Configure each mapping:
    • Select Location type
    • Choose Mapping Target
    • Specify Mapping From value
    • Set additional options

Mapping Options

Location Types

  • Body: Main file content
  • File Name: Use filename as data source
  • Extension: Use file extension
  • File Name and Extension: Combined filename and extension
  • Constant Value: Fixed value for all records
  • Company: Current company name
  • Base Company: Parent company name
  • User: Current user information
  • Constant Location: Fixed file location

Target Fields

Available mapping targets include:

Address Information:

  • From/To Location Name
  • From/To Address Lines
  • From/To Suburb
  • From/To Postcode
  • From/To Contact Details

Consignment Details:

  • Carrier
  • Account
  • Service
  • References
  • Special Instructions

Item Information:

  • Quantity
  • Item Name
  • Item Type
  • Dimensions
  • Weight

Data Transformation

Use Pattern and Replacement for data transformation:

Pattern: Startrack
Replacement: STRACK

This transforms carrier names to correct abbreviations.

Required Fields

Essential fields for consignment creation:

  1. Location Information (one set required):

    • From/To Location Name
    • OR Complete address details

  2. Item Details (one set required):

    • Item SKU for saved items
    • OR Complete item specifications

  3. Optional but Recommended:

    • Carrier information
    • Reference numbers
    • Contact details

Advanced Features

  1. Date Formatting

    • Specify format (dd/MM/yyyy or MM/dd/yyyy)
    • Handle multiple date formats
    • Default to current date

  2. Constant Values

    • Set default carrier
    • Define standard service levels
    • Apply company-wide references

  3. Validation Rules

    • Control error handling
    • Set required fields
    • Validate data formats

Examples

Basic CSV Import

Date,Carrier,Account,Service,Location Name,To Location Name,Reference,Quantity,Item name,Type,Length,Width,Height,Weight
30/08/2023,IPEC,ACME_IPEC,X,Melbourne Warehouse,Sydney Office,12347,1,Large Box,Carton,100,70,15,10

Property Mapping Example

Target: Carrier
Location: Body
Map From: Carrier
Pattern: Express
Replacement: EXP

This setup:

  1. Reads carrier from file
  2. Transforms "Express" to "EXP"
  3. Applies to consignment

Complex Mapping

From Address: AddressLine[0]
From Suburb: AddressLine[1]
From Postcode: AddressLine[2]

This handles multi-line address fields in source data.

Automating Import Using The Printer App

If you'd like to automatically import the files from a file on your computer, read our companion guide here.