How to import data from a database to create an organizational chart?

You can now use Creately to import a database containing your employee information and generate an organizational chart with shapes carrying the information. This feature will save you the hassle of manually entering data into shapes.

Creating the entity

1. Drag and drop the shape you wish to use from the Shapes panel

Add the shape

2. Select the shape and open its Shape Data panel

3. Add the data fields you wish to import from the CSV in the Data section (you can add them to the Notes section if you wish to display them as Shape Data when hovered over the shape)

4. Type the field names you wish to show on the shape within double curly brackets as shown below

Add the data fields

Saving the entity

1. Click on the database icon on the left side panel 

2. Click on the Create a Database button

3. Type a name for your database and click Enter or you can also create the database from the dialog box where you create the entity by adding a name to it

Create the database

4. Select the shape again and open the Shape Data panel

5. Click on the kebab menu (3 dots) and select Save as a new Entity Type

6. Type the name of the database you created and select it from the drop-down

7. Type a name for the entity under Create/Choose Item Type

8. Click on the Save button

Save the entity

Importing the database

1. Click on the database icon on the left side panel

2. Hover next to the database name and select Import Data from the drop-down menu

Importing the database

3. You can import the database from a CSV or a Google Sheet

• To import from a CSV, drag and drop or browse and upload the CSV from your computer

Importing the database from a CSV

• To import from a Google Sheet, paste the spreadsheet ID (refer to the screenshot below) and click Continue

The Spreadsheet ID

Importing the database from a Google Spreadsheet

4. Map your fields on the database to the fields you created within the shape

5. Click Import (you can ignore the fields you wish not to import)

Mapping the data in the database with the shape data

Your database will then be imported into the workspace! If it has not already been imported, try refreshing the browser.

Note: It is important to have a separate column in your CSV or Google Sheet with a field you would like to use to identify each entity you import. In this example, the column named Display_Name plays the role of the primary displayed text and is mapped with the shape data field called Primary Text when connecting to the source as shown above.

Primary displayed text

Creating the Organizational Chart

1. Drag and drop the entities created under the database (you can access them using the database panel on the left)

2. Arrange them accordingly and connect using the connectors to show the relationships

Creating the organizational chart

FAQ

1. Is it possible to use this database and entity in other workspaces?

Yes, as long as the workspaces are within one folder, you can use the database and the entity as shown in the GIF below.

Connecting the database to a workspace within the same folder

2. How to delete entities from the imported database?

You can delete entities from the imported database as long as there are no multiple instances of the same entity.

Deleting entities

If you have any further questions regarding the import function, feel free to contact our Support Team by submitting a ticket or emailing support@creately.com we would be happy to assist you.