Skip to main content

Use CSV files for bulk actions

This guide provides detailed instructions on how to create, edit, and use comma-separated values (CSV) files compatible with the emnify Portal. It also addresses common issues and their resolutions.

info

CSV files are used for several bulk actions, but this guide focuses specifically on renaming devices in bulk.

What is a CSV file?​

Comma-separated values (CSV) is a file format used to store tabular data, such as a spreadsheet or database. Each row in a CSV file corresponds to a record, and columns are separated by commas and semicolons.

Types of CSV files accepted by emnify​

The emnify Portal accepts CSV files with standard comma (,) or semicolon (;) separation. Ensure the file:

  • Uses UTF-8 encoding.
  • Avoids extra formatting (for example, merged cells or text styling).

Get a CSV file with device ICCIDs​

To rename devices in bulk you need a CSV file with the integrated circuit card identifiers (ICCIDs) and new device names. You can retrieve a CSV file with device ICCIDs from Reports in the emnify Portal.

  1. Navigate to Reports.
  2. Select the Device List report.
  3. In the upper right corner, click More Options.
  4. Click Download Data to export and save the CSV file to your local device.
tip

You can download an example CSV file from the emnify Portal to see the correct format. Follow the upload CSV steps in the Rename devices in bulk guide.

Applications for working with CSV files​

There are many options for working with CSV files, including Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Apple Numbers, LibreOffice Calc, and plain text editors.

tip

To avoid issues on any application, don't convert the CSV file or change its formatting. Some tools automatically reformat data, particularly ICCIDs, leading to errors.

Microsoft Excel​

Microsoft Excel is a widely used spreadsheet application that can cause issues with CSV files depending on your operating system.

Open CSV files on macOS​

Microsoft Excel on macOS tends to open CSV files with all data in a single column. To prevent data conversion errors and ICCIDs from being altered, open the file and choose Don't Convert when prompted.

Open CSV files on Windows 10​

Microsoft Excel on Windows often converts ICCIDs into a scientific format (for example, 8.91234E+18) with no way to convert it back. To avoid this, try the following:

  1. Open Microsoft Excel and select File > Open.
  2. Import the CSV as a text file and set the ICCID column type to Text.

Edit CSV files in Microsoft Excel​

For bulk device renaming, you need two columns in your CSV file:

  1. ICCID: The unique identifier for each device (maximum length: 22 characters)
  2. Device Name: The new name you want to assign to each device (maximum length: 45 characters)

Other format requirements include:

  • Maximum file size: 400 KB
  • Maximum rows: 1000
  • Naming conventions: Device names can't contain commas , or semicolons ; as those are used as delimiters in the CSV file.

To edit a CSV file you downloaded from the emnify Portal in Microsoft Excel:

  1. Open the CSV file.
  2. Remove unnecessary columns, keeping only ICCID and Device Name.
  3. Enter the desired names in the Device Name column.

Save CSV files in Microsoft Excel​

After editing the CSV file, save it correctly to avoid issues during the upload process. Ensure the file:

  • Uses commas (,) or semicolons (;) as delimiters.
  • Is saved in UTF-8 encoding.
  • Doesn't contain extra formatting or unnecessary metadata.

To save a CSV file in Microsoft Excel so it's compatible with the emnify Portal:

  1. Select File > Save As

  2. Choose CSV UTF-8 (Comma-delimited) (.csv) in the File Format dropdown menu

    warning

    Microsoft Excel also offers a Comma Separated Values (.csv) option, but it doesn't save the file in UTF-8 encoding.

  3. Click Save.

Tip for Windows users

Microsoft Excel on Windows often saves CSV files with ANSI encoding by default. If the file saves in ANSI encoding, re-open it in Notepad and save it with UTF-8 encoding:

Select File > Save as... > In the dialog, add the .csv extension to the file name then choose All Files for Save as type and UTF-8 for Encoding > Save.

Google Sheets​

Google Sheets is a popular tool for working with CSV files and works well with files downloaded from the emnify Portal.

Open CSV files in Google Sheets​

  1. Open Google Sheets and select File > Import > Upload.
  2. Upload your CSV file.
  3. Before editing, ensure that the data format for the ICCID column follows the necessary format.

Edit CSV files in Google Sheets​

For bulk device renaming, you need two columns in your CSV file:

  1. ICCID: The unique identifier for each device (maximum length: 22 characters)
  2. Device Name: The new name you want to assign to each device (maximum length: 45 characters)

Other format requirements include:

  • Maximum file size: 400 KB
  • Maximum rows: 1000
  • Naming conventions: Device names can't contain commas , or semicolons ; as those are used as delimiters in the CSV file.

To edit a CSV file you downloaded from the emnify Portal in Google Sheets:

  1. Open the CSV file.
  2. Remove unnecessary columns, keeping only ICCID and Device Name.
  3. Enter the desired names in the Device Name column.

Save CSV files in Google Sheets​

After editing the CSV file, save it correctly to avoid issues during the upload process. Ensure the file:

  • Uses commas (,) or semicolons (;) as delimiters.
  • Is saved in UTF-8 encoding.
  • Doesn't contain extra formatting or unnecessary metadata.

To save a CSV file in Google Sheets so it's compatible with the emnify Portal:

Select File > Download > Comma-separated values (.csv).

Apple Numbers​

Apple Numbers is a spreadsheet application for macOS. It's compatible with CSV files from the emnify Portal.

note

When you edit and save CSV files downloaded from the emnify Portal in Numbers, it changes the delimiter from a comma (,) to a semicolon (;).

Edit CSV files in Apple Numbers​

For bulk device renaming, you need two columns in your CSV file:

  1. ICCID: The unique identifier for each device (maximum length: 22 characters)
  2. Device Name: The new name you want to assign to each device (maximum length: 45 characters)

Other format requirements include:

  • Maximum file size: 400 KB
  • Maximum rows: 1000
  • Naming conventions: Device names can't contain commas , or semicolons ; as those are used as delimiters in the CSV file.

To edit a CSV file you downloaded from the emnify Portal in Apple Numbers:

  1. Open the CSV file.
  2. Remove unnecessary columns, keeping only ICCID and Device Name.
  3. Enter the desired names in the Device Name column.

Save CSV files in Apple Numbers​

After editing the CSV file, save it correctly to avoid issues during the upload process. Ensure the file:

  • Uses commas (,) or semicolons (;) as delimiters.
  • Is saved in UTF-8 encoding.
  • Doesn't contain extra formatting or unnecessary metadata.

To save a CSV file in Apple Numbers so it's compatible with the emnify Portal:

  1. Select File > Export To > CSV...
  2. Leave Include table names unselected.
  3. Expand the Advanced options and select Unicode (UTF-8) in the Text Encoding dropdown menu.
  4. Click Next....
  5. Name your file and select Export.
note

The exported CSV file has semicolons (;) as delimiters instead of commas.

LibreOffice Calc​

LibreOffice Calc is a free and open-source spreadsheet application. It's an alternative to Microsoft Excel and commonly used on Linux systems.

info

Overall, LibreOffice Calc is compatible with CSV files from the emnify Portal as long as you change the ICCID field type from Standard to Text during the import process.

Edit CSV files in LibreOffice Calc​

For bulk device renaming, you need two columns in your CSV file:

  1. ICCID: The unique identifier for each device (maximum length: 22 characters)
  2. Device Name: The new name you want to assign to each device (maximum length: 45 characters)

Other format requirements include:

  • Maximum file size: 400 KB
  • Maximum rows: 1000
  • Naming conventions: Device names can't contain commas , or semicolons ; as those are used as delimiters in the CSV file.

To edit a CSV file you downloaded from the emnify Portal in LibreOffice Calc:

  1. Open the CSV file.
  2. Remove unnecessary columns, keeping only ICCID and Device Name.
  3. Enter the desired names in the Device Name column.

Save CSV files in LibreOffice Calc​

After editing the CSV file, save it correctly to avoid issues during the upload process. Ensure the file:

  • Uses commas (,) or semicolons (;) as delimiters.
  • Is saved in UTF-8 encoding.
  • Doesn't contain extra formatting or unnecessary metadata.

To save a CSV file in LibreOffice Calc so it's compatible with the emnify Portal:

  1. Select File > Save As
  2. Select CSV and confirm UTF-8 encoding and comma delimiters.

Plain text editors​

You can use text editors like Notepad (Windows), TextEdit (macOS), or Vim/gedit (Linux) to view the raw CSV data. Avoid editing directly unless you're confident in maintaining the correct format.

If you do edit the CSV data using a plain text editor, ensure each line follows the pattern: ICCID,Device Name. For example:

89123456789012345678,Device A
89123456789012345679,Device B

Upload the CSV file to the emnify Portal​

See the Rename devices in bulk guide for detailed steps on uploading the CSV file to the emnify Portal.

Last updated on