Importing Data – SpatialKey Support

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Let’s cover the different ways to bring data into SpatialKey so it’s ready for analysis. Learn how to upload CSV files, import datasets from the Data Mart, add underwriting schedules, or use our Import APIs, Command Line Tool and Bridge ETL—so you can get your data in, mapped, and working quickly.

First, you’ll need to get your data into CSV format, no data model required. Check out these articles to best prepare your data: learn what type of data works best in SpatialKey and best practices for preparing your data.

Once that’s complete, you are ready to import your data into SpatialKey. Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:

Import Wizard (the easiest way to get started)
Data Mart
Underwriting Schedules
Import API
Command Line Tool
Bridge

Don’t have data handy? Check out our Sample Data

Import Wizard

On the Datasets tab, click on the “Add New Dataset” button and select the “Upload Dataset” option.

Next, you’ll be taken through a few steps to identify the information in your dataset like geography, location fields, geocoding options, column types, creating a title and setting up sharing options.

Image of the Datasets page showing a dropdown menu opened from the ‘Add New Dataset’ button. The ‘Upload Dataset’ option in the menu is highlighted, indicating where users can upload a new dataset. The page also shows a dataset list and filters in the left sidebar.

The Data Upload Wizard will walk you through a few steps that will help SpatialKey learn about your data and how to plot it on a map.

The first screen contains links describing what files types are supported for upload and also displays your organization’s limits, so you know how many records and columns are allowed for each dataset. Drag your file into the window or select a file from a folder to upload a dataset.

Upload a dataset dialog with a drag‑and‑drop area to upload a CSV or ZIP file, with an option to select a file from a folder.

Selecting a shapefile: If the file you select is a shapefile, you will automatically skip to the final screen to name your dataset, configure email notifications, and opt to share this dataset with everyone in your organization.

Selecting a CSV dataset: Once you select your dataset, SpatialKey will perform an initial upload of the file, so we can read from the columns in future steps. While the file is uploading, you are asked to identify whether your dataset contains a single or multiple countries, or whether it isn’t mappable. If your data cannot be mapped, you will go directly to the column setup and selection screen.

File uploading dialog with options to describe the dataset, including a selected option for mappable data within a single country set to United States, and a Next button.

The next screen maps all your location data. SpatialKey will auto-detect most fields but check them over to make sure everything looks accurate. The more location information we have about your data, the better we can visualize it on a map.

Location Information dialog with optional fields to map address and geocoding data, including street, city, state, latitude, longitude, and a Next button.

On the geocoding screen you’ll see which geocoder is licensed for your organization and a confirmation as to whether you have enough geocoding credits. If your data is in the US, we’ll automatically provide thematic mapping for US Counties, Postal Codes and US States. With this information, you will be able to create thematic maps that show the distribution of a single metric by either state, county or postal code.

Geocoding and Mappability dialog showing Bing selected as the geocoder, a confirmation that sufficient geocoding credits are available, and Next and Back buttons.

If you click the button to “Set Column Types” you’ll see how each field was detected. Most of your data will fall into one of three data types: String, Number or Date. Take the time to look over each column, what you choose here can have implications when viewing your data in a dashboard (e.g. you can only sum Numeric fields). Data type adjustments cannot be made after your data has been imported into SpatialKey.

Column selection and setup dialog listing dataset columns with selected data types and options to proceed to the next step.

The final step is to name your dataset, request an email notification when the import completes, and opt to share this dataset with everyone in your organization. Part of the power of SpatialKey is being able to easily share and collaborate with others in your organization. You are given the option to share this dataset with others; but don’t worry too much about your choice for now, you can manage permissions for datasets later.

Title and sharing dialog where users name the dataset, choose email notification and sharing options, and complete the import.

You are done setting up your import job! You can close this screen and continue working in SpatialKey while the upload completes. You’ll receive a notification in the SpatialKey header when your import is complete. If you also selected email notifications, you’ll be notified by email as well.

File importing dialog showing data parsing in progress and a message that the dataset will be available when the import is complete.

Updating or appending to an existing dataset

Upload a new version of your data or append additional records to your data from the Datasets tab. Click on the gear icon to view data settings and select the “Manage Data” option on the left side of the screen.

Datasets page showing a list of datasets, with the settings icon highlighted in the rightmost column for each dataset row.

Image of a dataset page showing a table of records. In the left Options menu, the ‘Manage Data’ item is highlighted, indicating where users can manage or modify the dataset’s records. The main area displays the dataset table with columns for location and address data, along with Export, Append, and Replace controls.

You could also import your new dataset again without using this feature, but you would have to reapply permissions, filters and joins, and recreate dashboards for the new dataset. Using the replace data or append data features will allow you to preserve any action that was taken on your dataset, saving you a lot of time!

Replace or append to an existing dataset:

When changing an existing dataset, you have the option to replace or append to the existing dataset. Note that for shapefiles, the only option is to replace.

Dataset page showing a table of records, with the ‘Manage Data’ option selected in the left navigation menu. In the upper right there are options to 'Export Data', 'Append Records' and 'Replace Records'.

After selecting to Append more data or Replace all data, you will have a chance to preview the data in the selected file before the upload begins. All settings from the original upload of the file will be applied to the new dataset.

Import from Data Mart

The Data Mart is a small catalog of datasets available for you to import into your datasets list so you can interact with it in SpatialKey.

The Data Mart feature mitigates the need for you to invest significant amounts of time in gathering hazard and event data yourself. Within the Data Mart, you can choose from an expanding selection of data and with one click have the data imported into your organization to begin analysis against your exposures.

The Data Mart currently contains both real-time and historical data from industry weather, event, and census data sources. Here are some of the thing that you will find in the Data Mart:

NOAA SPC storm reports
NOAA tropical storm/hurricane forecasts
NOAA historical hurricanes
NOAA historical tornados
USGS earthquakes
MODIS Wildfire perimeters

The Data Mart also enables you to easily add visual map overlays to your dashboards, like FEMA flood zones, precipitation, and cloud cover. This list will only continue to grow as we add more data sources and as you prepare your own data.

You can access the Data Mart via the Add New Dataset button on the Datasets tab.

Datasets page with the Add New Dataset menu open, highlighting the ‘Browse Data Mart’ option.

Data Mart dialog showing a searchable list of available datasets from external providers.

Title and Sharing dialog confirming the import of a Data Mart dataset, with options to name the dataset, set sharing preferences, and continue.

Underwriting Schedules

Underwriters can enter individual locations or import a schedule (CSV) directly in the Underwriting application.

The Underwriting application uses a dedicated import process that is separate from the Home interface and other applications. Datasets imported through the Home interface cannot be used in the Underwriting app; instead, schedules must be imported directly into Underwriting. This separation exists in part because Underwriting schedules do not count against the organization’s dataset quota and have significantly shorter expiration periods.

In-force portfolios used within Underwriting for aggregation analysis or as a visual reference should be imported through the Data Upload Wizard or via API in advance. Underwriters will be prompted to select that data for use in their analysis as part of their workflow.

Import Schedule page showing an empty map view and a panel to upload a CSV or ZIP file to add locations.

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