---
title: "Importing project data"
slug: "csv-import-project-data"
description: "Import historic project data to Cintra People HR for accurate timesheets and project logs. Follow our guide for a seamless CSV upload process."
updated: 2026-04-21T11:40:48Z
published: 2026-04-22T08:52:43Z
canonical: "help.cintra.co.uk/csv-import-project-data"
stale: true
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cintra.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Importing project data

Available in:

**Time**

Who can do this:

**HR Manager**

**Administrator**

### Introduction

During set up of the system, you may wish to import historic project data to Cintra People HR. This will populate your employees timesheets & project log pages so that you can accurately report on all project time, even that which took place before you started using Cintra People HR.

### **Using the tool**

Go to **Time > Config > CSV Import.**

Click the Download button to download the template.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204017220770.png)

Fill out the template ensuring you add employee email, the date of the activity and the duration spent in minutes. You must add at least one entry in: Customer, Project & Task.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204017220771.png)

Once you have filled out the template, save it as a CSV file.

Click the Browse button to import the file to the CSV import tool, then click Upload & Continue.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204017220772.png)

The tool will check the attachment and if there are any errors found, the system will present you with them.

For a list of errors, see below.

Once you have fixed any errors, re-save the file and repeat the upload process.

You will then receive a message to say the import has passed validation checks.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204017220773.png)

If you're happy with the data, click Continue.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204017220774.png)

---

**Validation Errors**

---

Below is a list of potential validation errors and what you need to do to fix them:

| **Error Message** | **Resolution** |
| --- | --- |
| Employee not found | Change the employee email address or add the employee to the system |
| Employee not active | Change the employee status to active or joining |
| Insufficient Access to employee | Employee data must be uploaded by a user who has access to the employee in question. This error shows if you are a Team Manager but do not manage the employee. Team Managers must have the Edit role |
| It is not possible to import dates in the future | Change the dates to the past |
| Minutes must be a positive number, less than 1440 | Change the number to a positive |
| At least 1 of Customer, Project or Task must be provided | Input data into at least 1 of the Customer, Project or Task columns |
| Project not found | Add the Project to the system or change it to one that has already been set up |
| Project archived | Restore the Project to Active or change it to a different one |
| Customer not found | Add the Customer name to the system or change it to one that has already been set up |
| Customer not active | Restore the Customer to Active or change it to a different one |
| Incorrect Customer for Project | Change the Customer to one that is associated with the Project or vice versa |
| Task not found | Add the Task to the system or change it to a different one |
| Task not active | Restore the Task to Active or change it to a different one |
| Role not found | Add the Role to the system or change it to a different one |
| Billable is mandatory if Project not provided | Ensure you add 'Y' or 'N' to the billable column |
| Billable must be Y or N | Change the value in the Billable column to either 'Y' or 'N' |
| Billable must match Project default. Leave blank to auto set | The billable status on the Project is different to what has been added to the template, either remove the value or change it to the opposite |
| Duplicate Entry | Remove the entry |