- Export or build a simple CSV with one student per row.
- Upload it and review the preview before anything is created.
- Fix duplicates or formatting in the preview, not after.
- Confirm the import to create the student records, then set up each student's chart.
- Prefer Archive Student for cleanup; Delete Permanently erases all evidence and cannot be undone.
When you are setting up more than a handful of students, typing them in one at a time is slow and error-prone. CSV import brings a full roster in at once, and a preview step lets you check the data before any records are created.
Prepare your CSV
Start from a simple spreadsheet with one student per row and clear column headers. The display name is the one field you cannot skip, and a grade column comes along if you have it; the import reads those two columns and ignores the rest. Save the file as CSV.
If you are exporting from a student information system, trim the file down to the columns you actually need before uploading. A focused file is far easier to review in the preview than a sprawling export with dozens of columns.
Review the import preview
After you upload the file, Evident shows a preview of what will be created before it creates anything. This is the moment to catch problems: a misaligned column, a name in the wrong field, or a row that should not be there.
The preview is your safety net. Read it rather than skimming it. Fixing a mapping issue here takes seconds; fixing it after a hundred students are created takes a lot longer.
Handle duplicates before you confirm
If some students already exist in your account, watch for duplicates in the preview. Resolve them before confirming so you do not end up logging against two records for the same child.
When in doubt, import a small batch first to see how your file maps, then run the rest once you trust the format. A short test pass prevents a large cleanup later.
After the import
Confirm the import to create the student records, then open your dashboard and spot-check a few names. Charts are not created by the import; use Set Up Tracking on each student to build their chart when you are ready.
If you later need to remove a student, use Archive Student: it hides the record from your active list while preserving the daily logs and history, which is what you want when a record was created in error or a student moves on. The separate Delete Permanently action erases the student and all their evidence and cannot be undone.
Frequently asked questions
Will import create students before I can check the file?
No. Import shows a preview of what will be created before anything is committed. You confirm only after the preview looks right.
What format does the CSV need?
A simple file with one student per row and clear headers. A display name or identifier is the key field; other context is optional and can be added if you have it.
What if I import a student twice?
Watch for duplicates in the preview and resolve them before confirming. If a record was created by mistake, use Archive Student to take it out of your active list without destroying anything, and reserve Delete Permanently for records you truly intend to erase.
Can I import a small batch first?
Yes, and it is a good idea. Run a few rows to confirm your file maps correctly, then import the rest with confidence.