File format
The entries file must be a CSV, TSV, TXT, or ZIP file. CSV is the most common format used. If you have an Excel file, save it as a CSV file before uploading.
Entries file help Check whether your entries file is structured correctly before you use it in a draw.
Entries file requirements
Data structure
The file should contain one entry per row, or one entrant per row with a column containing their entry / ticket count, with an optional header row that identifies each column.
Common entries file questions
- Open the Excel file, and go to File > Save As
- When selecting the filename and location, click the "Save as Type" dropdown box and select "CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv)
- Save the file. If you receive any prompts warning you about some features being missing, continue through them
Uploaded files must be less than 200MB. If your file is larger than this, consider zipping it before upload. The unzipped contents must be less than 300MB and contain only 1 txt, csv or tsv file.
If your file is still too large, consider removing unnecessary columns from the data to reduce its overall size.
The file can have a maximum of 20 million entrants (or 1 billion total entries when using the ticket-count option).
The optional header row must be on the first row or line of your file. It indicates the names of each column, such as "First Name", "Last Name", etc.
Your file can contain as much or as little data as you want. The important thing is that you are able to tie an entry back to a specific winner after the draw.
For standard draws, one row = one entry. The contents of the row are up to you. Alternatively, you can have one entrant per row with a column that indicates how many entries they have.
We recommend excluding sensitive data from your entries file such as home addresses, dates of birth, and phone numbers.
Test your file
Upload your entries file and we'll check if it works with our system.
Uploading file
Checking file
Invalid entries file Valid entries file Valid entries file
- Total row count
- {{confirmDetails.rowCount}}
- Empty row count
- {{confirmDetails.emptyRowCount}}
- Column count
- {{confirmDetails.headerRowColumns.length}}
First row detected
Check these columns match the first row in your file.
Column {{$index + 1}}
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No issues found. This file is valid and can be used as an entries file for your draw.
This file is valid and can be used as an entries file for your draw, but it contains some issues you may want to address before proceeding.
Warning
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Warning
Your file has empty rows. They will be ignored if you use this file in the wizard. {{confirmDetails.emptyRowCount | number}} empty row. It rows. They will be ignored if you use this file in the wizard.
Warning
Your file's first row has fewer columns than the second row.
You may encounter issues with features that rely on column selection if you proceed. You should ensure your file is correctly structured before proceeding.
The only content that should be present in the first row is an entry, or a row of column headers matching the data below it.
Issue
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- Open the Excel file, and go to File > Save As
- When selecting the filename and location, click the "Save as Type" dropdown box and select "CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv)
- Save the file. If you receive any prompts warning you about some features being missing, continue through them