When I create a dataset from CSV / Excel files using upload file from my desktop option, do I have to upload it every time when there are any changes in the file?

If you’re uploading the file from the desktop to create the dataset, then yes, you will need to upload the updated file again. To avoid this process, Smarten’s Shared server directory option can be used.

You can keep the file on any shared folder on the Smarten server. Administrator user has to configure the path of the shared folder from the Smarten Administration.

After creating the dataset, whatever changes to be done to the file should be updated in the shared folder as well. Once the changes are done in the file, use the ‘Refresh from the source’ option in the dataset to get the updated data in the dataset.

Step1:

As a first step, users need to get the folder path updated from Administrator.

To update the path,

Go to Administration -> General Configuration -> Server shared directory

Provide the shared folder path where your files are kept, and click on SAVE.

(Click on ‘Default’ button to set the default shared directory that comes under the smarten data folder.)

                                                            SERVER SHARED DIRECTORY PATH

Step 2:

After setting the path, while creating / editing the datasource, select the option of Shared folder on server and click on Select file(s) to upload the files from the folder.

                                                                            SHARED FOLDER ON SERVER OPTION

Step 3:

Whenever there are any changes made in the file, open the dataset and click on Result set -> Refresh from source option. The data will be updated in the dataset without uploading the file again.

                                                REFRESH FROM SOURCE IN THE DATASET